via packerchatters.com

Edmund Gates gets a lot of attention because of his 40 time at the combine. I believe he will be a good WR in the NFL. However, I took a look at a local prospect’s numbers and was surprised at what I found.

Take a look at their numbers side by side. You be the judge.

Make "the jump" to read a short, in-depth case study of two similar athletes.

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I saw this headline this morning and was immediately excited for the opportunities. Just this past month a good friend and I had an hour long conversation on how awesome it would be for Nike to take over NFL rights because their apparel line is popular even without licensed gear. Who wouldn't want a Chiefs Dri-Fit shirt? Or even a golf shirt with an Arrowhead on it? I personally love Nike, every time I pass the Legends I have to stop at the outlet and drop at least $100 before i leave.

Also, New Era has got the official head gear rights for NFL starting next year. Again, I can't think of better news. New Era hats are the standard in terms of quality, classic baseball caps. I'm positive that Ill be buying one as soon as they come out with an all red one with Arrowhead on the front.

I included a few links to articles after the Jump.

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I remember at some point last year somebody posted a haiku challenge after a game so I'll go ahead and start one after one of the biggest wins in Chiefs recent history. I was so pumped about the win I really just started typing these today.

Remember these are haikus, they are supposed to be fun and poke fun at the team/players/coaches. So don't get upset if somebody makes fun of your favorite player. Or pokes fun at a player who actually player pretty well (Dorsey).

Arrowhead’s rockin’,

Phylis Rivers can’t hear $h#!,

Throws temper tantrum

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Viking Tryout Zach Watkins is Flying Under The Radar

A former walk on at DII Washburn University Zach broke jsut about every defensive record an inside linebacker could break. Moderatly undersized (6' 230) but a great wrap up tackler and a truley instinctive player (473 career tackles). He also graduated in December with Finance degree and a 3.5 GPA so he is pretty bright.

From what i hear he had an excellent tryout.

Highlight video and career honors after the jump.

via blogs.kansas.com

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After a little research on some of our FA pickups i began to really like Darrell Robertson. I read up on his combine information and was really impressed with him as player and a person.

First of all, let me clarify that Darrell was a DE coming out of Georgia Tech and i think he probably translates into a 3-4 OLB/edge-rusher. I know he is listed as just an LB so that may help some on the site understand where Darrell fits in our plans. The first part of this post is about Darrell's collegiate career, the second will be more about what types of skills he has that the Chiefs can use in the NFL.

The talented pass rusher has outstanding speed coming off the edge and his ability to get into the opposing backfields helped the Yellow Jackets become one of college football's elite defensive units in 2007. His stellar play as a senior was a big reason Georgia Tech's run defense was so impressive.

He played his true freshman year as a DE at just 205lbs (mostly special teams) which I think shows that he is a tremendous athlete and football player.He also shows a commitment to self-improvement which is paramount in the NFL.

The lanky defender spent a considerable amount of the 2005 offseason in the training room(weight room). He emerged as a rock-solid 230-pound edge rusher..

His soph year was decent, he started 4 games when the regular was hurt. Most importantly he showed improvement, which he did every year he played. His junior year:

In 2006, Robertson garnered All-Atlantic Coast Conference second-team honors from The NFL Draft Report. He recorded 55 tackles (33 solo) with three sacks, seven behind the line of scrimmage, and seven pressures while also deflecting one pass.

Robertson helped the team rank 20th in the nation in rush defense (104.79 yards per game). He made 50 plays vs. the run, as the opposition managed only 80 yards total on the ground for the season vs. him. He also stopped opposing carriers four times for no gain. He produced 11 third-down stops and had another on fourth-down.

Once again he showed improvement and that he was ready to play with the big boys. He also started becoming a vocal leader on the team.

Vocal type on the field and when he wants to get his point across, his teammates immediately listen. [Taken from analysis on his draft page]

His senior campaign was extremely successful:

During the regular season, he made 33 tackles (22 solo) with 6 1/2 sacks and ranked third in the ACC with 16 stops for losses. He caused two fumbles and recovered two others, returning one for a touchdown. He produced 16 third-down stops and in 50 running plays directed at him, the left defensive end held the opposition to minus-57 yards.

Translation to the NFL:

Positives: (I'm only mentioning the positives that i think will contribute to him breaking out with the Chiefs)

Can carry another 10 pounds of bulk...Demonstrates great explosion coming off the snap... compensates for a lack of ideal bulk with very active hands to deliver counter moves and slip off blocks...Shows good intelligence, great vision and solid alertness to the action around him...Has a good feel for blocking pressure and is quick to digest the playbook...Takes a "search and destroy" attitude into the trenches...Self-made type, adding over 40 pounds of muscle to his frame since arriving on campus as a 205-pound freshman...Generates the acceleration to take a wide loop around the corner and still pressure the pocket...Much better playing on the move than when working in-line, making him a better fit as a strong-side linebacker in a 3-4 alignment than by playing in a down position...Comes off the edge with a sudden burst...

Negitives:

The only negatives listed where that he lacked NFL DE size, which isn't a problem for the Chiefs as he probably will play standing up.

Obviously there is a pattern of the word "burst" which is what stood out to me. Reading through the full list of positives it became apparent that for a DE he plays very well in space, part of the reason the NFL projected him as a strong side guy in a 3-4 which is just where we could use him if we switch. I also like the self-made made comment, that speaks volumes. He must be a "pro" (sorry to use a Hermisim), he takes his job seriously and wants to succeed. That coupled with an apparent high football and general intelligence (quick on picking up playbook and playing undersized with superior technique) I think we made a good** pickup. By this i mean for the small amount of money we paid for him we got a smart, professional, hard-working, and versatile (i'm sure he could put his hand down still and rush the passer in a pinch from DE) football player. I like what Pioli was thinking with this guy, a VALUE pickup for sure.

I know this was kind of long, sorry. Here's the link for the page I used for most of my info.

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/darrell-robertson?id=304#player-profile-tab-set-1:player-profile-tab-analysis

As a defensive lineman i tend to watch the DL more than anybody else on the field and I have to say I have been fairly impressed with Babin's play. I think Gun likes Babin, he commented that he couldn't believe Babin wasn't on a roster when they picked him up, and i can see why...

1. Hustle: I have seen Babin make some plays (ok i know that bootleg shoulda been safety play wasn't his best but hear me out) all over the field. Numerous times during the past couple of games he has made plays on his side of the ball and the opposite side. Several times he made tackles on the opposite side of the field that should have been a saftey or OLB's play.

2. Pass rush ability: Ok, i know...once again hear me out. Keyword is ABILITY, and guess what, he HAS it. Results?? Not so much but the ability is there and that is whats important for 2009. Pass rushing ability is equal parts heart and science, Babin has the heart part down but the science is lacking. Its lacking because he was out of football for awhile not because he's just another crap player we picked up. Believe me when i say it is very difficult to just come in off the street and be a pass rushing success against NFL OT which are some of the best big athletes in the league. Not to mention he is out of shape, its easy to see that he is a little heavy in the mid-section compared to his earlier years. This is probably also a result of being out of the game for awhile.  Give him an offseason to get back that conditioning and some coaching from crazy Krumrie and we might have a diamond in the rough.

3. Babin's pass rush breakdown: If you watch him pre-snap on pass rushing downs you will notice is has the new "sprinter stance" thats becoming popular in football. True to its name its based off a track stance, narrow, big stagger and a lot of weight on both hands down on the ground. (he looks very similar to Jared Allen). When the ball snaps you will notice that he has a tremendous get off (don't laugh, thats what its called) that is not only fast but low and it fairly competent at closing the gap between himself and the OT. This is crucial, the faster and lower you get to the OT with the proper angle the faster you get to the QB. If you have been watching closing he is the ONLY Chief that has even touched a QB in the past weeks for these reasons. His hand fighting is also superior to anybody else we have on the team. One the crucial points of hand fighting is keeping you hands up at shoulder height (very similar to boxing) to keep th OT's off, Babin does this very well. His inside counter move (usually a spin move) is also not too bad but i feel like he is just a step slow (back to being out awhile). All in alli wouldn't be surprised to see him get a few sacks as he gets his knack back.