SB Nation - Matt Gutierrez

Who Should the Kansas City Chiefs Cut, Re-sign, and Keep for 2010?

Jon Yoon — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:00:17 -0000

by Charlie Riedel - AP

It's hard not to let my frustrations get the best of me when writing about this year's lowly Chiefs. Rather than vent and curse and scream, I'm going to instead focus my frustrations on a few specific players who I believe are bringing the team down. Some have played their way off the roster and probably out of the NFL; others have played their way out of a starting job; still others have been monumental disappointments.

Let's look at this position by position, starting with the offense.

Quarterback: I've been very patient with Matt Cassel. I understand the situation he's in--his supporting cast isn't great, his receivers are dropping easy passes, and his offensive line has been shaky and inconsistent in pass protection. I get all those things.

That being said, there are a few things that scare me about Cassel. Despite improved protection over the past few games, he is still inconsistent with his downfield throws. In many cases, he's not hitting his receivers in stride and he's making far too many goofy mistakes for a player of his experience level. The excuses are over. His pass protection has gotten better and he is now surrounded by a decent running game. Yet, we're not seeing much improvement from him. All that Cassel has done this season is prove that he's a lousy quarterback for three quarters, but a pretty decent one in the fourth quarter (assuming the Chiefs are still in the game).

I'm not saying Cassel has played his way out of the job, but he certainly hasn't done anything to justify keeping it or securing his place as the QB of the Future. It would be reckless for the Chiefs to enter this offseason without bringing in another strong option at QB. Worst case, Cassel ends up playing really well and the Chiefs can trade their backup away. If the Chiefs don't bring in a strong young option now, it could set the franchise back two or more years.

Because if there is any QB who can push Cassel for a starting job, he's not currently on the roster--Brodie Croyle is too injury prone and Matt Gutierrez is as big of a longshot as you'll find in the NFL. Cassel's poor performance this season has led me to question whether Pioli's loyalties might be clouding his judgment. I like Cassel. I like his work ethic and I want him to succeed, but if he becomes the indisputable starter going into 2010 with no competition, it will really compromise Pioli's no-nonsense, high accountability environment he's building toward. If Pioli is gung-ho about sticking with Cassel next season without bringing in a competitive option, he better be right, or else it could be a decision that haunts him for the rest of his career.

Stays: Matt Cassel (#1 QB), Brodie Croyle (#3 QB)
Bring in: Strong competing #2 QB Option
Dump: Matt Gutierrez

Running back: The good news is that Jamaal Charles is a legit primary back. He's done an incredible job of doing a lot with very little help up front. The play that sticks out in my mind was the toss sweep against the Broncos where he almost made it out to the edge, but couldn't make it there. From what I recall, the guy that got in his way was weakly blocked by Mike Cox. I remember thinking to myself: "Man, if that was Tony Richardson a few years ago, that guy would have been leveled!"

With better blocking up front, Charles has the potential to be a very good "lightning back" who can take on about 15-20 carries a game. He needs to be more careful with the football, but hopefully he can do that with some better awareness and maybe a little bit of strength training. The problem is, Charles is not a primary back in the way LJ was. He shouldn't be a workhorse back nor should he be an all-purpose back. We saw that on Sunday. The Chiefs seemed scared to pound the rock on the goal line. It's because they don't have a "thunder" back to bulldoze forward on short yardage situations. The Chiefs need one of those backs--a big bowling ball that wears out defenses and can muscle a few tough yards on short yardage situations. It would provide more balance to their running game and create a great change of pace for Charles' shifty running style.

Kolby Smith has had a nice little career for the Chiefs, but I wonder if he'll ever play a full season ever again. Outside of Charles and Smith, the options at halfback are not good. Almost everyone in this spot is expendable. However, it's possible the Chiefs keep one of them on the roster, simply because they just have too many needs to fill. At fullback, Mike Cox has effectively played himself off the roster. He doesn't block well, he doesn't run well, and he's been invisible in the passing game. What is it you'd say... he does here? There isn't a shred of a doubt that he will be out of a job in 2010. The Chiefs must bring in a legit Fullback. Must, must, must. And it's not like it's that hard. You can get a top-notch Fullback in the late rounds of the draft.

Keep: Jamaal Charles (#1 HB)
Dump: Mike Cox, Kolby Smith, Tim Castille, Javarris Williams
Possibly retain: Dantrell Savage
Bring in: "Thunder" back. Fullback. Both can be found late in the draft. A "thunder" back might be found on another team's scrap pile

Wide Receiver:

Boy oh boy. You would think that a team coached by a Wide Receivers coach would have receivers that were better at catching the football. You would think that players like Mark Bradley and Bobby Wade, who are hanging on to their roster spot by a very thin thread, would be trying just a little bit harder to compete for their jobs.

Dwayne Bowe is a given, though based on the way he's played this season, I'm not convinced he's a legitimate #1 receiver. Chris Chambers has probably earned his spot on the 2010 roster, although we should prepare for a potential sophomore slump as he had in San Diego. If the Chiefs can find a younger receiver with #1 playmaking capability, they need to break the bank and bring him in (which might mean cutting ties with Chambers). I don't think that will happen, so for now, Chambers is a solid stopgap option. Apart from that, no receiver has played well enough to justify keeping their job.

Bobby Wade, on the whole, has not been terrible. He played like he didn't care to be there against the Broncos, but in most games, he's been a relatively solid slot option. I can't see a situation where Mark Bradley is on this team next season. He has dropped way too many passes in key situations. Lance Long, as it turns out, is not Wes Welker. He's not Ricky Proehl. He's just a guy---pretty good at getting open, but wildly inconsistent at making the catch.

Keep: Dwayne Bowe
Likely keep: Chris Chambers
Bring in: Either a #1 receiver to replace Chambers, or a strong rookie prospect to be groomed to replace Chambers
Very on the bubble: Bobby Wade, Lance Long
Dump: Mark Bradley

Tight End:

Based on the way Haley likes to use Tight Ends, I tend to think he wants a multi-dimensional tight end moreso than a one-dimensional one. He may not want a Tight End who is only stellar at receiving. I don't think he'd mind having a Tight End who was primarily a blocker. Ideally, though, I think he would like a Tight End who was equally good at both.

Leonard Pope has been the sole bright spot at the position and that's not even saying much. Pope's role should really be more situational--a great backup, but not someone I'd like to see as an every-down starter. Sean Ryan does not belong on this roster. I have no idea why he's been here this long in the first place. He can't catch. He's a horrendous blocker. What exactly is his value to the offense? Brad Cottam isn't much better. You can't tell me there aren't better options on the street than these guys.

Keep: Leonard Pope (#2 TE)
Dump: Sean Ryan and Brad Cottam
Bring in: Anyone who isn't named Sean Ryan or Brad Cottam.

Broncos Inactives for Today's Game

John Bena — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 16:43:06 -0000

Here are the Inactives for today's Broncos/Chiefs game. No surprises here - the Broncos are healthy and ready to go!

QB Tom Brandstater
NT Chris Baker
OL Brandon Gorin
OL Seth Olsen
WR Brandon Lloyd
OLB Jarvis Moss
WR Kenny McKinley
RB LaMont Jordan

Chiefs Inactives include -

WR Mark Bradley
CB Donald Washington
LB Justin Rogers
G Andy Alleman
LB Pierre Walters
TE Jake O'Connell
RB Dantrell Savage
QB Matt Gutierrez (3rd QB)

Chiefs Inactives: WR Bobby Wade, FS Jon McGraw

Joel Thorman — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:43:37 -0000

More photos » by Alex Brandon - AP

about 1 month ago: Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Bobby Wade turns to escape Washington Redskins cornerback Justin Tryon during the third quarter of an NFL football game , Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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As expected, Chiefs free safety Jon McGraw is not active. He's been suffering from an injury and is expected to be replaced by SS DaJuan Morgan.

The surprise here is the deactivation of WR Bobby Wade. I considered him possibly the second best receiver on the team. Well, that's before Chris Chambers came on board.

It's possible Wade is the victim of Chambers addition. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.

WR Lance Long is active and probably beats out Wade because he plays special teams. He's definitely a "Haley guy."

Here are the rest of the inactives, courtesy of Josh Looney at KCChiefs.com.

QB Matt Gutierrez (3rd)
CB Donald Washington
S Jon McGraw
G/T Ikechuku Ndukwe
WR Bobby Wade
TE Jake O’Connell
TE Brad Cottam
LB Pierre Walters

Notable inactive from the Jaguars: Former Chiefs T Jordan Black.

Dang.

WR Bobby Engram Inactive for the Chiefs Against the Cowboys

Chris Thorman — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:42:08 -0000

More photos » by Charlie Riedel - AP

2 months ago: Oakland Raiders safety Michael Huff (24) breaks up a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Bobby Engram (84) during the second quarter of a NFL football game against the Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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Via the mothership, we have this week's inactives for the Kansas City Chiefs:

Matt Gutierrez - 3rd QB
WR Quinten Lawrence
CB Mike Richardson
RB Dantrell Savage
G/T Ikechuku Ndukwe
WR Bobby Engram
TE Jake O’Connell
LB Pierre Walters

Ndukewe had a neck stinger earlier this week and he was listed on Friday's injury report so his snub his no surprise. TE Jake O'Connell and LB Pierre Walters have been inactive for a few weeks now, as has WR Quinten Lawrence.

CB Mike Richardson is brand new as of last week and a special teams body so his scratch is also no surprise. DE Wallace Gilberry was listed as probable on Friday with a head injury so it's good to see him not on this list.

WR Bobby Engram is a surprise scratch and I'm not sure what happened. More than likely it's just a numbers game.

Cowboys inactives are after the jump.

7 Stephen McGee - 3rd QB
11 WR Roy Williams
28 RB Felix Jones
36 S Michael Hamlin
43 S Gerald Sensabaugh
64 G Montrae Holland
77 T Pat McQuitan
98 LB Curtis Johnson

Dwayne Bowe Active for the Chiefs Against the Giants

Chris Thorman — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 15:41:35 -0000

More photos » by Ed Zurga - AP

4 months ago: Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, right, is tackled by Houston Texans cornerback Glover Quin, left, during the second quarter of their NFL exhibition football game in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

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Courtesy of Josh Looney at the mothership, we have today's inactives:

Matt Gutierrez - 3rd QB - Not a surprise. Every team does this each week.
WR Quinten Lawrence - This is a bit of a surprise. Lawrence has had flashes of talent this season but not much beyond that.
CB Mike Richardson - Not surprised by this move. Richardson only joined the Chiefs this week.
RB Dantrell Savage - Also a bit of a surprise but not really. The Chiefs will be playing Larry Johnson, Jamaal Charles and Jackie Battle at RB.
G/T Ikechuku Ndukwe - Looks like Ryan O'Callaghan is starting at right tackle.
TE Jake O’Connell, 87 TE Brad Cottam - The Chiefs have four tight ends. That means that Leonard Pope and Sean Ryan are the active TEs.
LB Pierre Walters - Low man on the totem pole. Walters is out because of the numbers game. He was out last week as well.

Who's name isn't on this list? Dwayne Bowe. Which means Bowe is a go for today's game. We'll see how much action he gets.

The Giants inactives are after the jump.

GIANTS
13 WR Ramses Barden
23 CB Corey Webster
31 CB Aaron Ross
61 T Adam Koets
79 T Guy Whimper
87 WR Domenik Hixon
97 LB Clint Sintim
99 DL Chris Canty

Are the Chiefs Becoming the New England Cardinals?

Jon Yoon — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:00:35 -0000

More photos » by Charlie Riedel - AP

FILE -- This is a Sept. 20, 2009, file photo showing Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel leaving the field after an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

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Here's a legitimate question that I don't really know the answer to: are the Chiefs developing a little bit of tunnel vision this season when it comes to free agency? Do you approve or disapprove of the Chiefs bringing in so many players from the Cardinals and the Patriots? Please voice your opinions on this.

It's interesting to note that five of the recent acquisitions the Chiefs made had some experience with one of those two teams: Leonard Pope, Mike Richardson, David Herron, Ryan O'Callaghan, and Lance Long. That's in addition to the moves the Chiefs already made for Matt Cassel, Corey Mays, Matt Gutierrez, Mike Vrabel, and the recently cut Monty Beisel. That makes for ten total acquisitions from those two teams in this season alone. It's also curious that a huge bulk of his other moves (Ndukwe, Alleman, Zach Thomas, Tyler Thipgen trade) were made with the Miami Dolphins, an inner-division team that Pioli played twice a season and that happens to be run by his father-in-law.

On the one hand, you could argue that Pioli and Haley know these players well enough to justify a roster spot. Haley knows players like Long a lot better than most teams do, especially since he's seen them practice while other coaches have not. Furthermore, it's not like the Chiefs have a lot of bright alternatives. Their job is to be better than the lousy backup options that they replaced. That's not a particularly daunting task.

On the other hand, you have to wonder if this tunnel vision is causing them to play favorites over outside options. Coaches and front offices sometimes have a tendency to become too attached to players they helped recruit or groom. I remember when Dick Vermeil insisted that the only major change that needed to be made to his 2003 roster was to change the defensive coordinator. I remember when Mike Solari became so attached to his players that he refused to admit that players like Casey Wiegmann and Jordan Black were much more a part of the problem than they were a part of the solution. It particularly bothers me when the bulk of these decisions seem to be made at positions that are of relatively little importance. I don't understand how bringing in Mike Richardson or David Herron solves the Chiefs' major pass protection problems. Maybe that's just me.

My gut tells me that this form of nepotism isn't good business and it leads me to question whether O'Callaghan was really the best player to pull off the waiver wire, or if he was chosen because he was a Pioli guy. That's particularly significant, given that the Chiefs had to use their advantageous waiver wire position to bring him in. On the other hand, my other instinct tells me that this strategy was the best Pioli could do, given that he entered the offseason game so late and without most of his own personnel guys. After all, the guys he brought in from other squads (Eric Ghiaciuc, Bobby Engram, Mike Goff, Amani Toomer) have all been major busts so far.

My feeling? I think Pioli and Haley have most definitely showed an overly strong favoritism to players they previously recruited and coached, but I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt for now. Next season, however, they're going to have to prove that they can recruit players better from the outside.

Let us know your thoughts on this.

Poll

Do you approve of the Chiefs picking up so many ex-Cardinals and ex-Patriots?

Yes. Pioli and Haley know them well.

337 votes

No. They aren't paying enough attention to players on other teams.

251 votes

Neutral. I think it's equally "yes" and "no"

308 votes

896 votes | Poll has closed

Thigpen on Chiefs Four QBs: 'We understand how the business works'

Joel Thorman — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:19:57 -0000

More photos » by Reed Hoffmann - AP

Chiefs quarterback Tyler Thigpen talks to Nick Wright of 610 Sports. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Tyler Thigpen talked with Nick Wright of 610 Sports after practice yesterday.

Wright asked him about the Chiefs decision to keep four quarterbacks when most teams usually keep only three. The thinking is that the Chiefs will, at some point, trim down to three quarterbacks. The odd man out will be between Thigpen, Matt Gutierrez and Brodie Croyle.

I talked about that this morning and pointed out that head coach Todd Haley seemed content with Croyle's performance last Sunday so he's probably staying put. Probably.

You gotta hand it to Thigpen. He doesn't really back away from many questions. When talking about the Chiefs quarterback situation, he said, "We understand the way the business works." While he does give the backup quarterback cliches of always being ready, he understands the situation.

Whether he's done enough to merit consideration for the 53 man roster once/if the Chiefs go to three quarterbacks is debatable.

Thigpen touched on that topic as well as a few others. Check out the What's Wright website for the audio. Below are some notes I took.

How does being a backup when the starter is injured affect your preparation throughout the week?

"It really doesn't affect it at all. You just gotta be, as a backup quarterback, be ready at any time no matter what the situation is. I think that goes for any backup quarterback. You've always gotta be prepared."

What's it like working with the other three quarterbacks when you know teams usually don't keep quarterbacks?

"I think the biggest thing is that we understand the way the business works. Right now, we're all good friends, but we understand, at the end of the day, not normally do they keep quarterbacks but right now we're keeping four quarterbacks.

"That's the decision that's not up to us. Right now we're just we're just competing for a job and going out there and trying to make our team better."

Why is there a belief that you can't be a traditional drop-back passer?

"That's those people jobs. To be out there and be critics and judge. I feel like I've come a long way from where I've been at. I feel like I've developed and settled down into being an under center quarterback."

Is the traditional drop-back passer something you can do or do you just prefer a different offense?

"I think any quarterback wants an offense that fits their physical abilities but, as a quarterback, you have to be able to play in every style of offense.

"Not every team is going to ble able to perform to a quarterback and their abilities so you gotta be ready to play in any sort of offense."

Do you feel you've already proven your critics wrong or is this just a new round of criticism?

"There's always going to be criticism. Like I said, that's their job and that's what'll keep them writing the papers and internet blogs or whatever, but my job is to go out there and make this team better and not worry about the other stuff."

Kansas City Chiefs Still Carrying Four Quarterbacks

Joel Thorman — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:14:17 -0000

More photos » by Orlin Wagner - AP

Matt Gutierrez is one of the four quarterbacks the Chiefs are carrying on their active roster. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

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The Kansas City Chiefs continue to carry four quarterbacks on the active roster heading into this weekend's game against the Oakland Raiders.

My thinking on this, along with quite a few others, is that the Chiefs will go down to three quarterbacks once they're assured that Matt Cassel is fully healed from his MCL sprain. Most of us expect him to play this weekend but we also expected that last weekend and he was listed as inactive about 90 minutes before the game.

Brodie Croyle started in Cassel's absence last week so I would imagine if/when the Chiefs chop the depth chart, it will be Tyler Thigpen or Matt Gutierrez getting the boot.

Haley seemed content with Croyle's performance last week.

"I thought that Brodie Croyle gave us a chance to win today and that’s all I ever ask of my quarterback to do," Haley told reporters following the game. "I don’t know what his numbers were and I know that at some point there it was not pretty. But he was completing the ball where he had to and most importantly he was not turning it over.

In last week's game against the Baltimore Ravens, Thigpen saw one series that included two handoffs and a quarterback draw.

"I told him to be ready – there were situations where I had a play for him," Haley said. "But I only got to put him in there once but it’s just the way the game went. There were a lot of different variables in the plan for him that I don’t necessarily want to get into. The game really dictated it."

That leaves Matt Gutierrez who was the emergency third quarterback. He only saw mop-up duty in the preseason games.

It sounds to me as if Haley might have specific plans for putting Thigpen onto the field. I'm not sure if that means he doesn't intend to keep him as a true backup quarterback or not.

It appears they'll keep four quarterbacks for the time being. If the Chiefs are intent on signing another player, we'll continue to monitor the quarterback status.

The Kansas City Chiefs Kick Off 2009 Season Against the Baltimore Ravens

Chris Thorman — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:00:36 -0000

And we have the first open thread of the 2009 regular season!

Yes, football is here Kansas City Chiefs fans. I'm am getting so jacked up for this game.

Here are the essentials:

When: Noon central time

Who: Kansas City Chiefs v. Baltimore Ravens

Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD

Ravens on SBN: Baltimore Beatdown

Chiefs inactives: QB Matt Cassel, QB Matt Gutierrez, CB Brandon Flowers, RB Dantrell Savage, G Andy Alleman, TE Jake O'Connell, DE Turk McBride, LB Pierre Walters

All coverage of this game is at this link. Listen to the game on the radio online here (Click Listen Live in the upper right corner).

Get your predictions in early today. Game time is in one hour.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOO CHIEFS!!!!

Kansas City Chiefs QB Matt Cassel Not Playing; Brodie Croyle to Start

Joel Thorman — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:32:52 -0000

Josh Looney is reporting that Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel will be listed as inactive for today's season opener against the Baltimore Ravens in M&T Bank Stadium.

That means we will not see Cassel today. ~~The Chiefs instead will rely on a trio of quarterbacks: Brodie Croyle, Tyler Thigpen and Matt Gutierrez.~~ Croyle has been named the starting QB.

It's been widely speculated that if Cassel can't go, Croyle will take over the reigns. The latest depth chart has Croyle listed at No. 2.

This is surprising to me. He was on the field with a knee brace on throwing with the other quarterbacks just a bit ago.