SB Nation User Blog: JChief

TPJ will convert to pitcher

JChief — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 22:13:54 -0000

KANSAS CITY -- The Royals added another pitcher to their organization this week.

The new guy can throw 90 mph, can throw from various arm angles -- and, oh yeah, he used to be the Royals' starting shortstop.

Tony Pena, the Royals' maligned former shortstop who was designated for assignment on July 16, is heading to Surprise, Ariz., to attempt a conversion to pitching.

Pena, who cleared waivers, threw a bullpen session with Royals pitching coach Bob McClure on Friday, and played catch again on Sunday at Kauffman Stadium.

Pena tried to downplay his potential position change -- "I'm just here to work out," he said -- but Hillman confirmed that Pena will be heading to the Royals' Spring Training complex in Arizona shortly.

"I've talked to him about two or three times," Hillman said. "He's all for it for right now."

Pena, of course, has a long process ahead of him. He'll likely spend multiple weeks working on the mound in Arizona.

And how long it takes Pena to develop as a pitcher is anyone's guess -- including Hillman's.

"It depends on how quickly they take to it with stuff, command, touch and feel, and how resilient their arm is," Hillman said.

But because Pena has tremendous arm strength, Hillman said he'd like to see the former shortstop in a bullpen role.

Hillman has already had that luxury once. Pena threw a scoreless ninth inning against Detroit during a 19-4 Royals loss on July 21, 2008.

Pena's flawless inning had more than a few fans dreaming about Pena coming out of the bullpen on a permanent basis. Pena retired three batters on 12 pitches, including a strikeout of Ivan Rodriguez.

"I saw touch and feel," Hillman said. "I saw a lack of fear. But obviously, the situation didn't promote a lot of fear."

Still, Hillman likes Pena's raw stuff.

"He's got the ability to throw from different arm angles," Hillman said. "He's got life to his fastball."

Source: www.kcroyals.com

Glenn Dorsey not a bust??

JChief — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 17:45:22 -0000

Glenn Dorsey not a bust??

Great article! Food for thought..

Chiefs would be wise to keep Johnson

JChief — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 15:17:51 -0000

Diva? Yes. Spoiled? Certainly.

Is Johnson still capable of being a productive back in this league? Absolutely. Leaving KC in 2009? Probably not. While Johnson’s way of expressing himself was immature and his off the field issues tough to defend you can bet that if Johnson is pounding the ball behind a better offensive line that the defense would rather us put Jamaal back there or somebody else rather than a guy that is a bruiser and only gets better as the game wears on. Most all players respect his game – he loves to punish would-be tacklers. Using him sparingly was not his forte. We needed quickness and someone who can create to dodge the constant onslaught of defenders who rarely were pushed around by our OL. Johnson will play and play hard with respect for this new management's leadership and vision. As I said in another post Chiefs fans will learn to live with him. You don't have to respect the person. But you will eventually learn to respect his game.

Should the Chiefs try Dorsey at DE?

JChief — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 13:52:59 -0000

"In terms of sheer movement skills, Dorsey could conceivably play DE in any style of front. He might be a bit slow for the position, but the man does move like he’s 30 lbs lighter. Watching Dorsey against LSU, I had chills thinking about him playing next too John Henderson and Marcus Stroud on the Jaguars D-line. A pipe dream sure, but that would be the best run-stopping unit in the league immediately. I’ve heard his name get mentioned as a possible 3-4 nose tackle if he goes to Miami, which is a mistake. That is not Dorsey’s game and I don’t think he would be effective in that role. He is far better on the move and getting penetration. His game is disruption, not occupation. He can be a 3-4 end though. He has the ability and drive to be a Richard Seymour type, but his most effective position is at tackle in a cover-2 (4-3) or attacking defense such as the Eagles.

The Dolphins need an impact lineman badly and Dorsey would make a good building block, but even with The Tuna taking power in Florida, that franchise doesn’t seem sure of what they want to do. Miami has run both the 3-4 and 4-3 fronts, often switching back and forth from play to play and Bill Parcells is a noted 3-4 technician. They just fired Dom Capers, the defensive coordinator and one of the best ever at running a 3-4 defense. That just strikes me as very odd though I’m sure Parcells knows something I don’t. Regardless, Miami would be greatly served by taking Glenn Dorsey number 1 overall. "

http://www.nfldraftdog.com/2008_nfl_draft/glenn_dorsey.htm

" “I saw him last year when he was at his best against Notre Dame and when he was healthy,” said Indianapolis president Bill Polian, "and he’s a force.

“He can do it all. He can stop the run. He can rush the pass. He can beat you one-on-one. I’m not sure there are many people who can win a battle with him one-on-one in pass protection. To have a force like that inside is good and positive.”

People wonder if he can play in a 3-4 defense, but Dorsey tells them not to worry. He can play nose tackle, he said. He can play the three technique. Heck, he can play outside if you want.

“Anything the coach wants me to do I’ll do it,” he said. "

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/sportsline/main10665623.shtml

And then would the Chiefs be well served to draft BJ Raji - your thoughts.