Arrowhead Pride

Seems like a McCluster-esque pick, right?

Joel Thorman - January 11, 2012 reply

Richardson in the 1st? A luxury we can't afford? Yes

LMJ in the 3rd seems more like a JC pick. Incredible value.

I like LMJ

But I don’t think this team can spend a 3rd round pick on a RB, with all the needs it has. 5th round at the earliest.

I’d rather they sign a decent FA RB instead, personally. Tolbert would be a nice fit.

Ryan Grant won't be that expensive

And could certainly be an option.

There are some speedy guys down the boards.

The Florida guys, the Western KY Rainey, Thomas out of Toledo.

Western KY’s Rainey is listed at 5-7, 205. If true, that’s pretty stout.

"them's fightin words"

stagdsp - January 11, 2012 via mobile reply

No to LMJ

We have two speed backs in Charles and Dexter, we need a good power back with speed.

The thunder and lightening combo is do outdated

If your team and line is built for shifty backs get a bunch of them.

HIV 2 Elway - January 11, 2012 via mobile reply

Agreed.

Richardson behind an over-matched line only managed to break one run.

How badly do we need another speed back though?

Dex looks just fine for that role to me…

MNchiefsfan - January 11, 2012 reply

No need to go for a pure power back

If you can find a shifty one with some power/speed then it fits better with Charles and the defense can’t key on each RB

Hello Michael Bush

I’d actually doll out the cash for that guy. He’s an animal

MNchiefsfan - January 11, 2012 reply

It is a very possibly option

He replaces Jones, and we still take a lower round pick on RB

I think we take a lower round RB in any case. Or UDFA.

yeah...

You should be bringing in UDFA’s every year at RB regardless.

Never know when you'll strike gold with that position

MNchiefsfan - January 11, 2012 reply

If Richardson is really the best prospect since Adrian Peterson, do you really pass on that?

1) Charles will be splitting carries evenly with SOMEONE, why not make it a comparable talent so that there’s always a threat in the backfield.

2) The fact that they would be splitting carries means the careers of both players should be extended.

3) It’s an insurance policy. If Charles is hurt again, or never returns to form, you still have a very good running game.

This is all assuming that Richardson is THAT good though. If not, then better to go with OL…

Agreed

May take Charles 2 years to get back to normal . Plus Richardson is straight beast . Very strong , very tough . I think we might be able to afford the pick . Rather try to get rg3 tho

chiefsman! - January 11, 2012 via mobile reply

He's not...

And if he was, he wouldn’t make it to us.

That's a big if.

Y'know, watching his highlights

He kinda looks like a younger version of Thomas Jones, with better vision. Not particularly big, but very strong & able to run through tackles.

College tackles.

Like I said elsewhere, he was only able to break one run when he came up against near-NFL quality defense.

yah, gets a bit harder in this league than it is in college

even when going against a “near-NFL quality defense” instead of a real one

I really like the running game the Saints have going.

Three backs who aren’t the strongest or fastest, but are always rested and run really, really hard. Of course, I guess that passing game might help them a little, too.

yah, impossible to double-up on anyone in that offense w/o getting toasted by someone else ... run or pass

You forgot Jamal Charles in the 3rd :)

groundedchevy - January 11, 2012 reply

I really wasn't all that impressed with Richardson on Monday.

Yes he broke a long td run, but on the short yardage he was stuffed up the middle more times than not. Lacy on the other hand seems like the bruiser that we need. Granted Eddie Lacy probably won’t go into the draft for a couple more years.

ravenhawk - January 11, 2012 reply

I agree as I don't see him as a bruise like Joel desribes him. Also, Heku, a seventh round pick by the Skins did great work as a rb.

Wow, sure missed the spell check, insert bruiser and Helu above

pretty sure helu went before that

polodude017 - January 11, 2012 reply

Yep, fourth round.

garbage yardage

LSU had virtually quit by the time Trent had his big run. I don’t think we need to draft a rb until at least rd.4

Why use a high draft pick on a RB when you can just toss some cash at Tolbert or Bush?

I would be happy with Bush...

if we were able to get him to come over here. If we grab Bush, then lock up McClain for a few years our backfield should be pretty nice. No reason to invest a pick in a RB.

ravenhawk - January 11, 2012 reply

Hire Hue and Bush will follow

I like the way you think...

SFLChief - January 11, 2012 reply

mmmmmm.....bush

chai1836 - January 11, 2012 reply

It might make sense

I’d love to see Tolbert here. And McCluster did seem to be regaining confidence/finding his groove late in the season…so you could have him & Tolbert/Bush sharing duty when Charles isn’t in the backfield.

McCluster did just fine this year when they used him properly

banshee_01 - January 11, 2012 reply

Truth

Once they realized he was a 6’2’’ 250 lb guy and stopped running him up the middle into crowds, he showed how he can be dangerous.

So confused about what you just said

Dex is 6’2’’ and 250lbs… and shouldn’t be sent up the middle? haha

I imgaine he meant "wasn't"

then too, sending anyone up the middle of our OLine is an exercise in futility

Sending Jones and Battle wide ain't that smart either haha

wasn't was defnitely meant to be typed there

It seemed to work somewhat OK when they did something to create some space inside, like draws and such, but even then, I think -part of the reason that was successful in gaining any yards is because it was usually 3rd and 12 when we ran it, so giving up 6 is no big deal.

That is part of the thing

However the play calling was just bad last year, teams knew what we were going to do before Muir woke up to call a play

Agreed

Here’s hoping they jump on Hue Jackson. I think he’ll even be able to squeeze some production out of Cassel.

Eastcoastransplant - January 11, 2012 reply

Jackson or Saunders

With Cassel as backup at best. But I’d rather trade him.

I'd even take Chan "MacGuyver" Gailey

the guy can squeeze production out of ANYTHING. He’s like the Bill Snyder of the NFL.

and before someone mentions it

I’m aware Gailey is still with the Bills. I’m just dreaming…and needed an excuse to call him MacGuyver.

Big 10-4 good buddy.

skunk420 - January 11, 2012 reply

yup yup

Agreed on Tolbert or Bush.

We should know before the draft if we could get one.

porkchop_sandwiches - January 11, 2012 reply

YES, If not Richardson we desperately need another back. Tolbert or even David Wilson out of Va. Tech would be nice

Porkchop Sandwiches!!!

Adebisi?

severn58 - January 11, 2012 reply

Playing soon at an AMC Theatre near you...

chai1836 - January 11, 2012 reply

Dammit Gentry

You just triggered a 20 minute rabbit-hole of me watching GIJoeDubs because of that.

I just want to ride my motorcycle!

Fantastic!

Now to really screw you up, check out the Rock-A-Fire Explosion doing Usher’s “Love in this Club” and a crapload of other great Showbiz stuff!

i approve this message

As Pioli said “we’ve got go improve the offensive line”

Another stud RB would be nice… but with a stud RT and a healthy JC and Moeaki… the whole offense will look a LOT better.

I like how Dex played down the stretch this year, and think re-signing McClain is a MUST.

Go OL early in the draft, look for a mid @ late round RB who is a ZB fit…

stagdsp - January 11, 2012 via mobile reply

I hate those things.

They’re too difficult to pull off later.

skunk420 - January 11, 2012 reply

what?

stagdsp - January 11, 2012 via mobile reply

Dude, look at that screenname. You expect his comment to make sense? :-)

But only if we can't make it, and even then only if it were so.

Me personally, I’d still make sure we knew if we could possibly try and see where we might want to know if it’s available to the mass public, that being said who knows.

severn58 - January 11, 2012 reply

Haha nice

TheScootness - January 11, 2012 reply

Yes but has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?

I don' If you say that, you call t, I understand the fact that the fact that you hear is tried

porkchop_sandwiches - January 11, 2012 reply

Take the safe bet and get a guy who will be here for a decade

I’m thinking O-line

hawkarma - January 11, 2012 reply

Let's not get too excited here.....

He will probably be wearing a new cap when it’s our turn to pick….

Beefcakess - January 11, 2012 reply

I huge charles fan but the issue is he can't carry the load all season, nor do we want him to.

I would rather him split touches and be healthy all year.

I'd feel bad for Battle if we drafted Richardson

The guy spent a lot of time on the bench to finally get his shot this year, only to lose it to a rookie the following year.

Soccer Over Football - January 11, 2012 reply

He's not that good

And he’s been able to survive on an NFL roster for 4 seasons, making over $1m in the process…can’t say I feel sorry for him.

He's a decent option though

I think we could get just as much out of Battle next year as Thomas Jones gave us when he was splitting reps with Jamaal.

Chatch McNasty - January 11, 2012 reply

I believe in Battle.

as a 3rd or 4th string rb. With a good o line he can help our team.You need depth at every position.

godd 3rd and short guy

otherwise looks like he runs in syrup

with the new wage scale

I don’t think he is all that expensive. Although I think we have greater needs. I just don’t know if they will be able to pass on him if he is available.

fleetmarine - January 11, 2012 reply

Who cares what his salary is? Its the opportunity cost that is hard to swallow

RBs are a dime a dozen

So are Offensive Guards

So Brian Waters and Will Shields (in their prime) are a dime a dozen?

Alright Pioli, let’s saddle up and head down to the dime store. We’ve got some shopping to do.

You're just making my point for me

Waters was an UFA, Shields was a 3rd round pick.

My point is that you can’t say good RBs can be found anywhere in the draft, and ignore the fact that this is even more true for Offensive Guards.

I don't think it's "more true" (or less true) ... but I do think the BEST Olinemen are to be found at the top ... and they last longer than RB's, and w/o the OLine the RB does little anyway (look at our inability to do anything in the Red Zone)

even more true for Offensive Guards

Agreed upamtn, we did not do a good job running up the middle.

We have to get a get a LG.

Nicks ;)

Nicks would solve a lot of problems

Hypothetically, if we sign Nicks, who would you want at #11/12? Let’s assume trading the pick isn’t an option.

Quinton Coples. Compete with Dorsey/Gilberry.

That might make sense

Either him or Devon Still could be a very good replacement for Dorsey (though I still have high hopes for Allen Bailey to emerge there).

huh, just read that Devon Still is a cousin of Art Still

Sign me up.

He seems more like a left side/TJax guy.

But I could be wrong.

Steve_Chiefs did a post on the guy a week or so ago ... he's good but appears to be slipping down the big boards a little

not sure he’s “our guy” even in the 2nd

I would attempt to trade up honestly

If not.. BPA…possibly for more talent in the secondary

Nicks, I would love

But I think the Saints will do everything they can to bring him back.

And if they can’t afford him, I doubt we end up as the highest bidders after drafting interior lineman in the first 3 rounds back to back years.

I would personally love it, I just don’t think Pioli would do it.

We still need a guard, Nicks is one of the best and is still young

With the Saints also needing to bring back Brees and other key FAs, they might let Nicks go

If they do, I hope we sign him...

I just doubt Pioli will. But we’re in agreement on how valuable he would be to us.

We have plenty of cap space, play in a weaker division where we won it last year

If he is in FA, we could be one of his choices

We have had plenty of cap space every year since he got here...

And again, my main concern is that he will feel his has addressed the interior OL via the draft. He also may be inclined to take another 2-4 round OG and hope to play them or groom them for a year behind Lilja.

This is not what I would do, mind you, just my best guess based on what he has done up until now.

I also think Nicks will get a big contract. I would completely endorse giving him one, I just don’t see it happening. Hope I’m wrong.

Is what it is, takes two people to make a deal

Plenty of people were pissy last year when we didn’t get ’’their’’ guy, but then reports came out that said player talked to the Chiefs they just couldn’t come to a deal because said player wanted to go to x team more

Sorry...but I think that's mostly BS

That’s the kind of thing you hear out of GM’s that don’t get players signed, not what you hear out of GM’s that bring guys in.

I’m not saying it doesn’t happen (certainly it does), but typically player X goes to the team that pays him more. Shaun Smith would be example A. The Chiefs wanted him, he wanted to be here, Tenn offered him more $, and he went to Tenn. And I don’t blame him in the slightest. When the Chiefs are embarrassingly under the Cap, I do blame them, however.

If Nicks gets to the market as a UFA, and the Chiefs offer him the most money, the chances are very good he will come here. If they don’t the chances are very good he won’t.

Smith wanted playing time

Which we couldn’t offer and Tenn did

So you envision the negotiation like this:

Smith: I want to play, Scott.
Pioli: I’m sorry that’s not going to happen here, but I’m willing to pay you as much as another team that will play you.
Smith: No, I’ll take less $ and go to Tenn.
Pioli: Ok, see ya.

Personally, I don’t see it that way. I don’t know what his % of snaps were for TN this year, but I doubt it was much higher, if at all than it was for KC in ‘10. The guy played a ton for us. People tend to forget that. GM’s/coaches almost never outright guarantee playing time, that’s impossible, especially at that position.

And at least statistically, he had a much more productive season for us, my guess is that is b/c he played more for us…but again, I don’t have the stats to back it up.

Are you really taking the stance that most NFL FA’s don’t pick their destination based primarily on salary?

He played a lot for us because Tjax was injured

He dealt with injuries with Tenn this year.

Not unless the salary is only 1 team going wayyyy over the top in terms of price

When TJax was healthy, he played more than TJax

I guess it would depend on your definition of wayyyy.

If offers are relatively equal, yes players will consider all factors, but the #1factor in FA in money. I can’t believe it’s even up for debate.

On Smith would be here if we offered him what Tenn did, otherwise he wouldn’t have made the statements he did before and after the signing.

Tjax was dealing with his knee injury which lingered throughout the season last year

So yes he played more.

Unless the salary is a huge increase, lets say a top FA WR, would not want to go to Oakland over New England just for 1 or 2 extra mil.

Oh...and Smith started 6 games in TN this year...and was healthy

Money is and should be the #1 factor

these kids don’t have that long to get their paper. Gotta strike that hammer while the iron is hot

Yes

In no way am I blaming the players for going after their money, I’m just pointing out that it is the #1 factor.

Quite a few of those BS stories as you call them

Came from the PLAYERS not Pioli

I think Haley was unpopular on the player grapevine.

I think there’s some truth to it being tougher for Pioli to recruit FAs.

In the Shaun Smith case, I think they got a more versatile player in Amon Gordon. And I don’t think Smith would’ve seen a whole lot of action.

So we didn't get him b/c we didn't want him...

But were making offers and were outbid. Ok.

And I think Smith’s biggest asset to us was his versatility, personally.

He spent nearly equal time at NT as DE.

No he didn't

He played DE and subpackages, was barely at base NT

Yes, a lot in subpackages, and 3 DL sets

He played NT. Base NT, he didn’t play a ton of but we play a lot less of that than most people realize. He was the ‘#2 NT’ though.

We play around 50% in the base

Smith barely got time as base NT because of Tjax’s injury, In the base Smith was at DE not NT

yes, he was mostly a DE in the base

But he was the backup NT, and did play there. 50%…yeah, that’s probably close to accurate. Edwards didn’t play all the snaps at NT in the base, and Smith got the snaps he didn’t.

He also played plenty of NT before he came here.

Not exactly sure what you are arguing...against his versatility?

Instead of:

He spent nearly equal time at NT as DE.

I probably should’ve said: He spent nearly as much time at DT/NT as DE. Still the point is he was extremely versatile, and that was a reason to sign him, not to let him walk.

Holmes, Foster, Charles, Forte, MJD, etc were not first rounders

I said they were?

25 of the top 31 rushers all-time were first round picks

the argument can go both ways.

That's a good stat I had not heard before

Yeah but the game has changed significantly since those guys were drafted

rule changes

I would like to see the stats for the last 3 years

Further, as of late....

Its bad teams that take RBs high and they tend to stay bad

Saints' Ingram

high draft choice, wheres he at?.. apparently expendable. Its the line, not the rb that heads a running attack

Bottom of the first is not really high

13 of those 31 guys have played within the last five years

the game might’ve changed, but elite talent rises the top in any era.

None of the top 6 rushers in the NFL this year were first round picks.

go look at their draft classes

find all the busts taken before them. just because guys slipped doesn’t mean it was wise to allow them to do so.

Sure, everyone would draft Jamaal Charles and Arian Foster in the first round if they could go back in time and do it again.

But the fact that hindsight is 20/20 changes nothing. There will always be value guys to be found at running back in rounds 2-7 and as undrafted free agents.

there will be value guys at most position though

But I’d wager most elite QB’s and LT’s are 1st rounders. Good RBs can be found later in the draft, but so can good interior lineman, linebackers, etc. I just don’t see the logic in eliminating only RBs from first round consideration when they aren’t the only position that can be filled later in the draft. If a RB is who the Chiefs decide is the best player available when they are drafting this year, I’d have no problem with it. Not advocating for it, but I wouldn’t condemn the idea either.

well said

I'm not sure there's any position as prolific as halfback when it comes to turning out mid-round talent.

But the other thing to consider with running backs is that they tend to have about the shortest careers of any NFL position. That means that, even when you hit on your first round halfback, you aren’t getting as many years out of them. As a result, even positions like linebacker that can also be found later in the draft offer better value than running backs.

For example, Ray Lewis is still playing at a high level at age 36. The running backs taken along with him in the first round that in the 1996 draft were Lawrence Phillips, Tim Biakabutuka, and Eddie George. None of those guys have touch a pro-football field in years.

And running back isn’t the only position I’m not a fan of drafting in the first round. Left tackles I’m fine with, but I don’t like the idea of drafting a right tackle with your first pick. Same with centers and guards (usually). You’d also have to be crazy to take a full-back, punter, or kicker in the first.

Now there’s an exception to every rule, and I’d never say to never draft a player at X position in the first, regardless of circumstances. But, as a rule, I don’t think you should draft first round running backs.

I would take a RT who has upside as LT

Which is the case with Martin IMO. Start out on the right and if we lose Albert or he gets injured Martin can slide over

With the wage scale.. it doesn’t really matter who you pick now, you won’t be making them around the highest paid player at their positions.. like we did with Tjax and Berry

I can see both sides of the argument

The shelf life thing is a consideration if you hit on the pick. I would rather have an elite player for ten seasons instead of five or six.

Well here's the logic in (as a general rule, shouldn't work in absolutes) in excluding RB's from the first round

Shelf life.

A draft pick is a form of currency you’re investing in your team. Your highest draft pick each year is your most valuable bit of currency.

You tend to want that most precious investment to pay dividends for as long as possible. A first round pick should make an impact (as in starting within a year or so, depending on position and your roster situation).

It’s no secret that RB’s have a very short shelf life in the NFL. The amount of years that they’re reasonably productive is well less than many other positions. Picking an RB in the first is ensuring that that most precious currency won’t be paying off for very long. It may pay off very well for a brief period – and if you have a stacked roster top to bottom, it can make sense to do that. That’s precisely why RB in the first is a sheer luxury pick.

We are still a few positions away from having a complete starting lineup, to say nothing of how thin our depth is in some areas. We are in no position to take a luxury pick.

Taking a monster guard (DeCastro) or a solid OT in the first this year – that can easily pay off for a decade or maybe more. That’s a good use of the draft pick currency. Same with QB, though it’s more of a boom / bust kind of investment. It’s harder to tell when a QB will transition to the pros like you can with an offensive lineman. But due to the importance of the position and the direct impact it can have on your team’s success, it’s well worth the first round investment (and usually preferable to invest there).

There’s a threshold where first round RB makes sense and can be worth a first round investment. The Saints after recently winning the super bowl were in a position to make a luxury pick (Ingram). The Chiefs are still far from it. (Though a lot closer now than say 2008).

It's pretty simple really.

You have a better chance at landing a productive starter at any position, the earlier you draft them.

O Line have a shelf life that’s 2x-3x more than that of a RB.

What makes sense here? An early RB, or early OL as far as a ROI for your early draft pick?

BPA @ PON

duh

Draft a QB with every pick

Then have a battle royal in training camp.

We’ll get that position figured out if it kills us.

TE's

Dwayne Allen, Coby Fleener … get ’em all! corner the market on ’em, the demand is there … drive up the market price for multiple draft picks … voila! all set for 2013 draft

We'll trade 12 tight ends for the number one overall.

It’s tough to write a sentence about tight ends without it sounding like a porn movie.

you say that like it's a bad thing

It’s tough to write a sentence about tight ends without it sounding like a porn movie

I thought you got fired, Gruden.

No to Richardson.

And it’s nothing against his skills at all. I think he’ll be great. But give me a demolishing offensive lineman to open up holes first, and pick up a talented RB in the 3rd or 4th round. There’s probably at least a 75% chance that Richardson doesn’t wind up as the best RB in this draft class, just looking back at previous draft classes.

m.yashi - January 11, 2012 reply

Brandon Bolden - Ole Miss

Big bruiser… 5’11" 222 lbs. Played for a bad team in a strong defensive division. Looks like he has the smarts and will to succeed.

“Grandson of former Chiefs RB Frank Pitts. Brandon has worked hard to keep his grades in line and has shown maturity during his years in Oxford. Is a tough, reliable and consistent football player with a teams-first mentality. Confident individual.”

“Above average height and bulk. Well-proportioned frame. Also has good top-end speed for the position, especially for a bigger back.”

Yeah, I like Bolden too.

Reminds me of BenJarvus Green-Ellis. They were both very productive and showed a lot of talent on bad Ole Miss teams. He’s been a productive part of a tandem in NE and I think Bolden could be here too. I think the concern with Bolden is the same as it was with Green-Ellis – durability. Bolden also was suspended a game this year for violating team rules, although the team said it wasn’t substance or crime related. He’ll probably be like Green-Ellis – late to undrafted – but I wouldn’t mind seeing him in a Chiefs uniform – I believe he has NFL talent.

I think Bolden has his head on straight

Just reading that 1st quote in my post about him being a former Chiefs grandson…and doing well in school (Oxford?) and the “team first” mentality would fit perfectly into our system…and what Pioli likes.

FWIW

Oxford, Miss. is where Ole Miss is located.

I read that differently – working hard to keep his grades in line to me means he qualified academically by the skin of his teeth. The suspension is a character red flag.

All that said, though, I’ve seen him play multiple times and never seen any negative attitude or lack of effort from him, so I’m not too concerned with that. I agree that he’s a guy we should look at in the draft.

Thanks for clearing that up

5'11'' and 222 lbs. That's right in the sweet spot for measurables.

I like a later-round pick for this TYPE of player. I’m not too concerned with top-end speed, but thick, tough, and quick is where it’s at. As critical as I’ve been of O-Line, KC RBs also fail to see some cutbacks that ARE there. Jamaal seems to have the best vision of the bunch. It’s hard to get a reading on McClain, because of the small # of runs and the kinds of runs they were – a lot like judging Trent Richardson on the basis of the BCS game.

Speaking of which

Isn’t Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis a free agent this year? The Pats drafted 2 RB’s last year, so they could be ready to let him walk.

Chatch McNasty - January 11, 2012 reply

+1

chiefs63 - January 11, 2012 reply

can he catch the ball?

Yes.

He was their leading receiver last year with 32 (on a team that obviously didn’t pass a ton). This season he was suspended a game, and injured some, so his stats aren’t great.

Terrance Gallaway

out of Baylor in the 5th. It’s a spread offense, so he doesn’t get as much credit as a running back with a horrible QB like Bama. He’s a big boy. Enough with the smaller quick backs…DMC. Where’s the beef?

flip8744 - January 11, 2012 via mobile reply

I like Ganaway too

He is a very big boy and will be around late in the draft.

I would like this option, but I think I would prefer signing a FA RB and using the draft pick elsewhere.

The Chiefs aren’t the NO Saints. We can’t afford to use a first round draft pick on an RB. A high talent in the first round needs to be placed elsewhere. I understand we should draft BPA, but if Richardson is BPA when we pick, and no one else is close on Pioli’s board, then trade back. Someone will want to snag Richardson.

7chiefs7 - January 11, 2012 reply

Yes. I think Richardson's value to the Chiefs is trade-down potential.

If they trade down, there are a couple different ways Pioli could go, depending on who slips. I wouldn’t mind seeing Devon Still in that scenario, with an extra 2nd, to boot.

Now that I’m leery of 1st-round OT this year, though, look for Pioli to surprise the hell outta me and do that. But the rumor mill is indicating that 2013 will be a great year for OT value. A FA OG and a couple better-than-Ndukwe prospects in the meantime, to push for RT snaps, preferably guys who can move inside to G, would make sense. Swing for the fences at OT in the stronger class, next year.

I thought we were supposed to swing for a QB next year :)

I kinda feel like if they have to do that for QB next year, then team-build and the annual QB pick has failed.

If ALL they do on offense is get their IRed guys back, and upgrade the OL, I think the QB situation is likely to be ironed-out before the 2013 draft.

So find our QB by sifting through the middle rounds? Why can't we do that same thing for our O line instead?

You’re just so unfair sometimes.

RB is becoming more like most other positions

Depends on the player. If you can get an Adrian Peterson then you take it. If not, then some good ones can be found later. A good system and good O-Line can make most RB’s look good.

Fozzyboyd - January 11, 2012 reply

I'm just glad that more folks feel this way, these days.

This was a tough argument to make, back in the 90s, without getting laughed off the BBS.

Cyrus Gray - Texas A&M

He’s a perfect fit in a ZBS, as A&M runs a lot of that, so he’s got the experience in it. Also, he should fall due to a relatively minor injury (stress fracture in shoulder) sidelined him at the end of the season. We should be able to get him in the 3rd/4th round.

Another one to watch is Bobby Rainey from small school Western Kentucky. He’s built like MJD, short and stocky, but has very good quickness and lateral agility that should allow him to excel in a ZBS.

adams2000 - January 11, 2012 reply

Another injured Big 12 fast back,

Fozzy Whittaker out of Texas. He looked good when he was in. Not really that small, looked about Charles’ size. I don’t know the extent of his injury, though. He is waaaaay down most boards.

There's a larger reason for that

In that he’s just not that talented. He’s got some speed, but lacks power and just basic RB traits like vision and agility. And as opposed to Gray, he’s inury prone, and his current one is a torn ACL.

adams2000 - January 11, 2012 reply

Good to know.

I wish I had time to watch more games.

Bigcherokeechief - January 11, 2012 reply

So long as we take an OT in the second

a QB or a Running back is fine at 11/12 spot. Fix that OT, and get some tight ends in here damn it.

I don’t care who you draft, if they are great players, you can draft a RB 5th overall, or 105th overall. Perform and I won’t care.

Topchief1 - January 11, 2012 reply

Um, I think that could be true of any player you draft....am I missing something?

When you draft a player you want them to perform regardless of draft position right?

But I think I see what you're saying...

You’re frustrated and you just want to see some action and improvement with whomever we bring on. We all want to see something great with the players we inherit upon this next draft. Just trying to cement what you’re saying more clearly, but I think that’s what you’re saying?

A long term, stout O line is invaluable

Think about the O line we had in the early 2000’s. Anybody you put behind that line put up AP like numbers. Look what happened to LJ when our O line started to breakdown (LJ wasn’t really as good as many of us initially thought…apparently Vermeil thought little of LJ either even with a good O line but that’s another story). Point is, if Richardson is the next AP, that’s hard to pass up. A stout RB brings so much excitement to the field…but how long will that excitement last? Look what happened to AP during his last game of the year – it’s what happened to our JC (Charles not Christ haha) early on. If you’re O line is mediocre and you’re RB goes down, the season is over.

Now proponents of Richardson would say, well at least we would have insurance with both he and JC. True! But if you have a solid O line that can keep lanes open and you use Pioli’s “knack” for scouting talent (Oh please improve that knack God) then you could conceivable come out on top with late round, unknown who blows it up AND you would have insurance. Some people reference Arian Foster as an undrafted standout, but I’d like to point out Priest Holmes :)

Our O line in the 90's and the early 2000's

turned out a lot of 1,000 yard rushers.

It's really tough to build a long term O line that good.

How many O lines are there around the league right now that compare to our 2003 line? How long did our line remain outstanding? A great line is going to be a mix of vets and young guys, and when those vets inevitably go away so does your outstanding line.

We can definitely build a very good line, but the kind of outstanding line that a lot of Chiefs fans pine for is more of a pipe dream than an elite QB. It’s just that you’re trying to gather and keep five great guys all at the same time, the odds just don’t favor that.

+1 well said

Great lines like the Roaf (FA former 1st rd) and Shields (3rd rd) led lines last maybe a handful of years. We had a good Qb in Green and Holmes at rb yet still could not win a playoff game much less a Super Bowl due to our piss poor defense. Now our defense is better but our line is a weak link and our Qb is not as good. I would try to trade up with STL and grab RG3. Grab RT in later round or FA to replace Richardson. Draft or FA 2 interior line in later rounds. My vote is no on drafting Richardson. We have one too many already.

paulredfish - January 11, 2012 via mobile reply

A RB would be a waste in 1rst

we need to build th OL to open up holes for a RB and protect whoever we have as a QB. DRafting a RB First is like hanging drywall before you build a house.

denmaster - January 11, 2012 reply

IF we signed a good RT and good QB to compete with (i.e. beat) Cassel in free agency, okay.

Otherwise, no thanks.

I agree

But after hearing Pioli this morning I didn’t want to hear him throw Cassel under the bus, but I wanted to hear something like “Cassel is our guy and I think he could use some healthy competition.” I didn’t hear anything close to that. I think it’s time to move on from the idea of bringing on a new QB and realizing the focus of this draft will address other positions.

But I don't WANT to move on!

hahaha

Again, perfect pic in response to that statement. I don’t any of us want to move on from the thought of drafting a franchise QB. It just seems apparent its not going to happen to me so I’m not keeping my hopes up anymore.

just what did Pioli say this morning?

after hearing Pioli this morning I didn’t want to hear him throw Cassel under the bus

Let me clarify

I realize the sentence I initially wrote could be taken out of context. He didn’t throw Cassel under the bus nor would I ever want to hear our GM trash any of our players.

He only had good words to say about Cassel. He spoke about how Cassel won 11 games in NE, threw for 27 TDs:7 INT in 2010, helped take us to the playoffs, etc, etc blah, blah, blah. And that he said knows how good Cassel can be.

I wanted to hear something that would lead me to believe that he would address the QB position in the draft without necessarily throwing Cassel under the bus (i.e. if he said “Our QB just isn’t cutting it” would look bad on him and reflect a negative image for any other QB who comes here). But I would have been excited if Pioli said something like “I think Cassel is a good player and could use some healthy competition to compete for the future success of this team.” That would lead me to believe we are going to make moves at the QB position.

Instead, he pretty much backed Cassel and had nothing to say about addressing anything QB-wise in the offseason. Instead, he addressed the O line first and that free agency is another aspect he is focused on as well (i.e. Bowe and Carr).

yup, that makes me sad like the kitty picture ... ie, regarding Cassel

I’ll fogive him if he re-signs Orton and gets DeCastro and Fleener and ZSanders :-)

Yep

That’s why I think its time to move on. Even though the pic of the crying child doesn’t want to move on ha ha.

Knowing our QB situation will remain unaffected, its time for us as a fan base to look at the other top prospects in the draft that will immediately address positions not titled QB.

what bothers me is that the "plan" seems to be no plan ... rather, just get this guy here, that guy there ...

trying to make a “plug n play” team instead of really building a team with an “identity” from the ground up

I see your point

But I hope (as it seems based on his statement) that he is focusing on building a foundation around the nucleus (i.e. the QB position). If you can protect your QB and block for the run, you put yourself in a strong situation offensively. If you give Cassel time (which he needs) and scheme around his skill set, he can be effective…or just effective enough depending on how you perceive. Likewise, it would make our run game even stronger (scary). Then in another year or two, when you get a new QB you are able to put them in a better situation with a stronger “foundation” to develop them under while keep them protected in the pocket.

Maybe that’s lunacy and absurd? But I hope that plan is something along those lines.

agreed, just far prefer Orton to Cassel

thing is, and I’ve said very thing, it’s not what he has done in the past … and that foundation should be the FIRST not the LAST thing you do …

focusing on building a foundation

Giving up on Stanzi, eh?

:)

Not saying you are wrong...

about us not taking a QB in the draft, but it’s been proven time and again that Pioli will throw smokescreens out there as we lead up to the draft. He and Dmitroff did it with Eric Berry and its done almost ritually here in NE. I would have been extremely surprised to hear him say anything remotely reseombling the possibility of making moves at QB as I’m sure he believes it would be tipping their hand in some way.

I personally believe that it will be one of the top two OTs if they are available and if not, we will back out…but, I’ve stopped trying to predict who we’ll pick because I think it’s folly. The ONLY one I’ve gotten recently was Berry and I can remember calling Tim and Pat on Sirius NFL radio and being laughed at b/c they thought it was a no-brainer to take Bulaga at 5.

Anyway…early on (post-Alamo Bowl) I was mancrushing on RG3, but I’ve come back to my senses and would love to see Reiff or Martin as I see RT as our biggest need.

MassChief - January 11, 2012 reply

More importantly

It’s obvious based on Pioli’s interview with Fescoe on 610 Sports that he’s still behind Cassel and that the Chiefs likely will not make any moves to snag a QB (cough, cough RG3) with their first pick. Anything can happen between now and draft day, but it appears any questions surround the QB situation have been answered and that other key positions will be addressed in the draft, starting with O line.

Again, this is just reading between the lines during Pioli’s interview this morning.

On a side note, Pioli did address the fact that he feels maybe he should be more public and responsive with the KC fan base. I hope this is a sign that he is beginning to understand the relationship between the Chiefs and the Kansas City fan base as compared to fan bases of other NFL franchises.

Still think Orton is better than Cassel. I really don’t want to watch another season of passes that are 15 yards or less.

or another season with a QB that is unable to go through progressions in a reasonable time

and unable to deliver a deep ball that’s on target
and unable to stand in the pocket under pressure and still deliver a pass
and unable to avoid throwing interceptions to Eric Weddle every time we play San Diego

Cassel still our QB?

ha ha ha

That picture in response to the statement that its obvious Cassel is our guy is worth a thousand words! Classic!

Unfortunately, time to move on from the thought of a new QB in 2012…maybe after?

Maybe... maybe we'll get someone to trade their first round pick for Cassel so we can get RG3... heh.. heh...

Hopefully the other 31 teams read that the same way you did. That way, they won't be afraid of us jumping them in the draft.

Would you rather have Riley Reiff or Jonathan Martin

Reiff

flip8744 - January 11, 2012 via mobile reply

Interesting, I need to research those 2 a little better.

neither

that was enlightening.

It should have been.

Neither one will likely challenge Albert any time soon, so why spend a first on them?

Push.

Rather have DeCastro. I want a nasty G to pair with Asamoah and keep the middle of the pocket stout.

this

and Hudson in the middle … nail that interior for the next decade

Hudson really seemed to hold his own when he was in there this year

I’m excited to see what he can do full-time. Weigs was good, but is just simply past his expiration date. Probably the same with Lilja.

I agree. That's why a guy like Konz might be a good fit.

GonzosDirtyTrailer - January 11, 2012 reply

Martin or De Castro

Reiff is good but I have seen too many Iowa LT turn into RT only in the NFL. Though I will say Reiff is probably the most versatile of the three.

KC_HAWKEYE - January 11, 2012 reply

Don't draft a running back.

Make a run at Mike Tolbert! We can probably sign him for a decent price, considering he made all of 1.8 mil this year on a one-year deal.

I’d much rather see us go OL and DL with our first three picks this year. We really need a legit nose tackle.

and it seems like Matthews is always hurt, so we know Tolbert can carry the load if an injury happens. ANDDDD we are roughly $1 billion under our cap and need to spend come cash.

What I like about Tolbert

for a big guy – he has pretty good hands. I’d have no problem with him coming to KC to complement Charles and Dex.

The guy is a freaking bowling ball, man

He tumbles down the middle just plunging through people. Woe to the LB’s and DB’s that try to arm tackle that guy.

Eastcoastransplant - January 11, 2012 reply

Kinda reminds me of Barry Word.

Especially if you played him in Tecmobowl!

Actually check that, forget Tolbert and Bush....

Give me Marshawn

Never sign a player that looks like a human catfish. That’s just common sense.

GonzosDirtyTrailer - January 11, 2012 reply

That made me spit out my water. Nice.

eh, I don't know

I think Marshawn has worked on his character issues and image in the last year and showed a lot of improvement on the field. I just think he’ll be asking for too much based on his recent success but I think it’s a dollar too late for him. If he was willing to take a middle of the road salary, then maybe (doubt it)…but I don’t think it would excite me much regardless.

Beast mode enabled

I was never a huge fan of him in Buffalo – but he is responsible for some of the sickest runs I’ve ever seen there in Seattle.

He can put da team on his back do.

he's in for a very nice payday

why Joel, you're turning into an investigative reporter and journalist! I'm so proud of you!

I’ll compare this to the old saying: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” You can get the stud running back who can be productive for a relatively short while, but wouldn’t you rather build up the offensive line so anyone can be productive for an even longer time?

this is precisely correct and absolutely the way to go … RB’s can be had in FA (Bush) and almost anywhere in the draft, and RB’s have a notoriously short playing life … whereas a studly OLineman can make almost any RB (or QB) look better than anyone thought possible for many, many years … and the best are at the top of the draft

ask nearly any GM in the NFL: you build from the line out … great teams are slowly built thru the draft, not tossed together willy-nilly with a few big-name pickups and FA signings … it’s time to finish the foundation, the OLine of this team, it’s time to get DeCastro (and a few others after that)

I’m upamtn and I approve of this message

message paid for by..........

LadyChief - January 11, 2012 reply

Fixed

whereas a studly OLine~~man~~men can make almost any RB (or QB) look better

much appreciated :-)

This may be an unpopular thought

But after key positions are addressed with early picks, I wouldn’t mind picking up another solid pass catching TE with SIZE. I don’t think Moeaki is the lone answer at the position based on how TE’s are used in the NFL now – Yes I know that TD catch in his first season was stellar and it excited me too. But he is better known for his blocking skills and we know he can be clutch as a pass catcher when needed. Likewise, Moeaki can’t dominate double team matchups with his size alone like the other top TEs in the NFL. So if we can get an additional TE with beastly size and athletic ability, I would love to see the Chiefs make that happen too. It would only add to the potential we have toward building a more powerful and intricate offense.

That said, this may be slightly off topic since I’m not talking a first round pick here but just a thought I had to get out there.

I would agree with a TE somewhere in rounds 2-4

Plus, you don’t know if Moeaki will stay healthy all next season, and Pope/Becht isn’t a great backup situation

Chatch McNasty - January 11, 2012 reply

Inury prone

Yeah, that’s another thought I had that I didn’t point out. Moeaki has a reputation for being slowed by injuries. Not a knock on him necessarily, its a league where guys get hurt, but it would also give us insurance and not shut down a part of our offense and likewise open it up for defenses to cover us better.

TE: I prefer the blocking types over the great route-running, oversized WR types.

A guy who’s a great run-blocker will keep defenses in their bigger packages, where there are more opportunities for the big TE to get crazy-open.

On the other hand,

he won’t get crazy open if he’s plodding enough to be covered by Tamba.

Actually it's a pretty popular thought

And has been mentioned here quite a lot in the last couple of months.

Nothing at all wrong with it.

Nice

Well then I just hope that’s an additional piece the Chiefs regime is looking into come draft day

One good TE is hard to cover.

Two are nearly unstoppable. See also: Hernandez / Gronk in NE.

(Oh god no, more Patriots West!)

Moeaki has very good receiving skills.

His blocking is talked about because it’s so rare to find such a good receiving TE who can block worth a damn. But yeah, I think we need another skilled TE. Moeaki CAN block, so that gives us the luxury of going after one who’s not so good in that area.

Your saying is wrong, we live in America

It should be…

Give a man a fish and you’ll feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you lose a good business opportunity.

dudebuddyrage - January 11, 2012 reply

Unless you own the pond you taught him to fish...

And sing him to a contract that states the newly taught fisherman will only be paid a small fee for each fish he catches, even if the price of the fish market increases exponentially. In that case, you’ve just become a business mogul!

Wow, touche Sir

Touche.

dudebuddyrage - January 11, 2012 reply

something fishy about this whole business ...

Perspective, my friends (thank you Lee Corso)

It’s all about perspective!

I agree

It seems relatively easy to find a big bruising running back relatively late in the draft. You get a good to great line and you can put pretty much anybody behind it and they will be at a minimum productive. With a few exceptions, the o-line makes the running back.

Scaryclouds - January 11, 2012 via mobile reply

I think it's easy to get inside the measurables envelope, and then select for toughness and football IQ.

I’m glad King Carl is gone, because of all the reaches for clueless RBs with big stats and gaudy combine results. Then you get ‘em on the field, and you see a great athlete, who’s not really a great football player.

DeCastro in the first round if he's there.

Unless we lose Carr…. then best Kirkpatrick or Jenkins.

If we don’t lose Carr, and DeCastro is gone… I guess Reiff or Martin to play RT.

Maybe a Dont’a Hightower to pair with DJ if they’re all gone.

must ... keep ... Carr ...

I'm totally in agreement with you, but I just don't think it will happen.

I’ll be the happiest Chiefs fan in the world if they manage to keep him.

My plan would be: sign Carr and franchise (and maybe trade) Bowe.

why trade Bowe? wouldn't it be better to sign and keep him?

Honestly, I think it should be a CB if there's one high enough on the draft board.

I think we need to face the facts: Carr is probably gone because someone’s going to through a truckload of cash at him in FA. We should have signed him sooner if we wanted to keep him. The truth is, this is pure Patriots way here. We’ve locked up one good CB, we can rotate in new draft picks or FAs at the other one.

THROW! Sheesh.

I agree

I fear Carr will be gone and replacing him will be a priority.

ValkRider - January 11, 2012 reply

Minnifield looks good, looks like he might be available late first or early second.

I'd like to see that, with or without Carr coming back.

But re-signing Carr has to be a priority.

Arenas at nickel, Minnifield in dime, Brown covering the TE....

Yeah, I think we’d be good with that.

Minnifield at FS?

Lewis comes in as the third safety and plays deep
Arenas comes in as the nickel

Minnifield can play boundary if there is an injury

BAMFSpecialOps - January 12, 2012 reply

JC and Richardson is a nice combo

Sign some FA OL and it can happen. I think we could use another stud LB though. Vontaze Burfict anyone?

MizzouChief - January 11, 2012 reply

Tren richardson to kansas city

I understand the whole teach a man to fish thing; but my grandfather showed me how to fish in one day. We have been teaching Jackie Battle to fish for the lst 3 years and he hasnt learned yet. not so much as a bluegill

Adam M Smith - January 11, 2012 reply

There are plenty of fish in the sea too

not anymore ... overfishing has depleted many of the resources that we've relied on in the past ...

oh, you mean RB’s

never mind

Hey now.. there are plenty of fish in the seas!

Have you seen the discovery shows? Full nets! How about shark week?

Yeah back to RBs.. dime a dozen, let’s move on

That's why you don't give the Chiefs ONE fish to feed them for a day

You give them fishing poles, lures and tackle boxes and then you teach them how to fish this offseason.

Wait, I think I got that wrong…

Eh sounds like you agree with me, take chances later with late picks/UDFA on guys that fit the ZBS

So no, you are right

Am I the only one who watched Alabama football this year?

Trent Richardson is good, not that good. I would take a flyer on him in the second round but certainly not any higher. He would be a very nice change of pace back next to Charles and McCluster but for value, an strong lineman will contribute more. Don’t waste the first round pick on a guy who can help us on 30% of offensive plays when you can get a lineman who can help you on 95% of offensive plays.

KC_HAWKEYE - January 11, 2012 reply

probably

I’d rather shove an icepick in my retina than watch ’Bama

neiowakcfan - January 11, 2012 reply

hey, that icepick eyeball gouging in MY idea

but if you need any help …

Battle had a better YPC in 2011 than Jones did in 2010.

I’m just sayin’…

Tarkus - January 11, 2012 reply

So we get someone who is better than both of those guys!

Which still shouldn’t be real hard.

Though I’m still pulling for Battle to do well. I just don’t really have any expectations.

Of course they should try to upgrade the position.

Just saying what we have (assuming Charles is 100%) is potentially better than when we led the NFL in rushing.

Tarkus - January 11, 2012 reply

If Jones does retire/leave, we'll want somebody to fill that roster spot.

True.

And I hope that’s when, not if.

Tarkus - January 11, 2012 reply

zing!

I think all our backs look better with better O-Line.

I would like to see a guy come in who’s known for his VISION, and who sets up his blocks, with a solid combo of patience and burst. I think guys like this can be found in the later rounds, and are grateful for the opportunity.

My big issue with Battle is he’s not much use as a blocking back. Good in pass pro’, though. My ideal would be to have a pair of big backs who block for each other, turn-about. There are some 4-3 defenses that you can run over, especially those who run a lot of cover-2 and cover-3.

Not just through late rounds of the draft

..but you can find guys in free agency or cheap trade as well. Just look at Willis McGahee, Cedric Benson, Marshawn Lynch and Reggie Bush have done.

Further adding to the OP, Matt Forte, Demarco Murray, Jamaal Charles, Fred Jackson…none of them 1st round backs.

CapsLockKey - January 11, 2012 reply

MJD, Rice were both 2nd rounders IIRC

You are correct, sir.

BCRavenJHawkfan - January 11, 2012 reply

Just not an easy choice.

Linemen are probably a better investment, IF they are quality. This year should have quality linemen at center, guard and tackle. But one thing that makes the whole draft the RB later a problem is that there are 32, let’s count them again, 32 teams trying to do the same thing. The crop gets picked through pretty quickly and what is left can be pretty diluted.

In my book of

Draft Commandments

the First Commandment says: Thou shalt covet the best player available.

Yeah, Isaac Redmon is starting for the Steelers in the Playoffs this season, but you can’t ignore the fact that first round pick RB Rashard Mendenhall is undoubtedly their starter, and a big reason why the Steelers were in the playoffs with the record that they had.

fightwookies - January 11, 2012 reply

Well that's one example.

Joel posted seven others. And I’ll throw in Charles (3rd round) to counter the inevitable Peterson example.

The top 6 rushers in the NFL this year were, in order:

1. Maurice Jones Drew
2. Ray Rice
3. Michael Turner
4. LeSean McCoy
5. Arian Foster
6. Frank Gore

Exactly none of them were selected before the second round. Not appearing on that list are mid-to-late round, top-tier running backs who got injured this year like Fred Jackson and our very own Jamaal Charles.

It’s just way too easy to find running backs in the later rounds of the draft to ever justify taking them in round 1, in my opinion. Especially when there are so many other positions where it’s much harder to find elite talent outside of the first round.

LMJ = Sproles v.2.0

LMJ >>>>>> DexMex

ArrowDread - January 11, 2012 reply

LMJ > JC

Dude is primed to go off. We fucked up on Blount. We fucked up on JaQuizz. Can’t fuck this one up

How is James supposed to dominate the NFL if he can't even dominate the SEC?

Well he did have a combines 115 yards a TD against LSU this year

88 combined yards and 2 TDs against $cam in the National Championship game
134 rushing yards and a TD against Tennessee last year

So, you know, he has been dominating the SEC

And by combined I mean rushing and receiving, no return yards in those lines

Hah! Good try with the combining thing. Back to back games:

3.4 rushing ypc, 39 receiving yards against Auburn

2.8 rushing ypc, 61 receiving yards against LSU

Those are almost TJ-esque numbers right there.

That said, I'd draft him over pretty much any back except Richardson.

And what about the TN game?

What about the 4 times he found the endzone?

Yes, he did well against TN. So a 12 win Pac-12 team can beat a 6 win SEC team.

Ya know when I put it that way, I’m starting to re-think drafting him….

JC + Bush + LMJ = Super Bowl

ArrowDread - January 11, 2012 reply

If #7 is QB...

we need as many legit RBs as possible, to keep the ball outta his hands

ArrowDread - January 11, 2012 reply

Bush is the Jones of 2 yrs ago

he’ll be okay for a year but if the Raiders are willing to let him go then I’ll bet that he’s about done. Free agency is a true gamble on retreads @ the rb position IMO.

Would've been nice to find that out this year instead of worrying about a snap streak.

HUGE reply fail

Sorry

I would take Marshawn over Tolbert

Plus I think SD resigns Tolbert while Marshawn might leave. I can deal with Cassel for another year as long as we draft Tyler Bray or Matt Barkley next year. And I feel like we should address RB in the later rounds. I like Michael (Texas A & M), Ganaway (Baylor), or Ellington (Clemson).

King of the Cassel - January 11, 2012 via mobile reply

cool by me

Lynch is finally meeting expectations

Change of scenery definitely lit a fire under that guy's ass.

He’s been, well, beast mode.

Our qb situation....

Ugh,.. We are stuck with what we’ve got I’m afraid. A qb who can’t throw the ball more than 15 yards accurately. 35 yards is a jump ball, hail Mary situation,. I bet Bowe would love to go to NE, San D, NO, Hous., where qb play is considered an important pos.

"The Kansas City Chiefs RUNNING BACK Question"

Texarkana Chief Fan - January 11, 2012 reply

Offensive Takle or Guard is the only first round choice

Running Backs are a dime a dozen. The only reason Larry Johnson did well was due to the great offensive line KC had. We have the chance to draft either, Jon Martin, or David DeCastro, Offensive Guard, or Barrett Jones from Alabama if he declares for the draft. There are lots of fast and tough running backs we can pair with Charles. We need a great offensive line that can pass block and run block. Anyone that is advocating Richardson, should be reminded what a terrible mistake it was to give Larry Johnson that big contract. He should have been traded, and we should have kept Jared Allen. Imagine Jared Allen on this team and a couple of good Offensive linemen draft picks for Johnson. Hell, I bet Herm Edwards might even still be HC although I am not sorry to see Carl Peterson replaced.

Draft Offensive linemen, that is the number one need and priority. Who ever heard of James Stark of the Packers? I rest my case.

Packers' offensive line is held together with spit and bailing wire. Not the best example to use.

It is a good example if you want to move up for RGIII haha

Truthiness.

GB's problems on OL aren't for lack of trying. Bulaga and Sherrod are a pair of recent high picks.

They’re one of those rare teams that had their skill players in place, first, and are now trying to get better up front. I think the short offseason hurt them in the big man category. For all the crap he takes, Haley’s guys ended the season healthy.

EricBerryYoYouScary - January 11, 2012 reply

Yessirree bob, absolutely, I'm in total agreement!

wouldn’t you rather build up the offensive line so anyone can be productive for an even longer time?

WorL4Chiefs - January 11, 2012 reply

Running backs that weren't drafted.. this guy. Nough said.

Battle is more than serviceable as a short yardage back

And we can’t afford to waste a first round pick on an area we should already be dominant in…

OhioChiefsFan - January 11, 2012 reply

we NEED a bruiser

Richardson would be amazing to have but we just have other needs. We do need to get a bruising back to compliment Charles and I would personally love to see us go after Mike Tolbert , Peyton Hillis, or Earnest Graham. All 3 are good backs and the important thing with these guys is that IF Charles was injured we could potentially still have a run game. We also have to think about Le’Ron McClain…maybe he is the answer. He can catch and run the ball effectively, i just think he needs more action besides blocking. Of course we have Battle and McCluster and we could still potentially use them in the right situations. Bottom line…our running game next year NEEDS to be dominate. I hope every thing works out for that to happen

Vincent Hamilton - January 11, 2012 reply

We do not need a pure power back

We need a guy who is a 1 cut back to fit the ZBS

Or any system, really.

Wisconsin type RBs haven’t really done all that well in the NFL. Last really good power back I remember was Bettis.

Stephen Jackson is pretty much a power back

But he’s not just a power back, which is probably your point.

Jesus, Earnest Graham or one good season Hillis?