Draft day draws closer and the teams are throwing out their last minute BS.  Everyday we are hearing that teams are in a supposed new player or a certain player is climbing.  I would say that the Chiefs are one of the teams that are keeping their cards close to their vest.  Round and round, where it stops nobdody knows!

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It is officially here.  Draft week has started and the rumors are shifting into 5th or even 6th gear.  Out of all the "draftniks" out there it seems most people around the league and even on this sight have a lot of respect for McShay and his work that is put into scouting these players.  Kiper seems to pick his top players and stick with them.  McShay isn't afraid to change who he thinks is the best player and where they may go.  This leads into the next question?

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From the FanPosts. Nice work. -Chris

With much debate as to who KC should take at number one.  I feel the second rounder is just as important.  As bad as beloved Chiefs have been, we can't afford to wiff on the first few picks.  As "fans" we have been pretty emphatic that we should take Stafford, Curry, or Monroe.  I for one have been in Curry's corner but know that we have a lot of needs and he may not be there.  I am curious who the number two pick should be.  I know it is a bet harder to figure this pick since there will be 33 players off the board, but this is a valuable pick that cold lead to an impact player.  What position and who should this pick be used toward?

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Did anyone see what this guy did at the combine.  USC kicker that put up 25 reps of 225.  that was more than Eugene Monroe and 26 other OLinemen.  He ran a 4.6 forty and he boots it in the end zone.  This guy would be a good special teamer after the kick off.  I don't want to draft him but I thought it was worth noting.

Fun stuff to talk about on a slow day of news.

As many of you have seen on here.  I am a huge homer for Maclin.  Not for the Chiefs to draft him, but for him being as good as Crabtree because of the tools he brings to the NFL game.  Todd McShay reported this morning that Maclin tweaked his leg making an awkward move to a bad throw.  Specifics aren't out yet, but it is something with his leg, maybe his knee.  With the top two receivers being injured. which receiver at the combine has the most to gain.  Percy Harvin has a lot of game, but is not to big.  Hakeem Nicks makes amazing catches and shows he is a playmaker, but there is a question of his speed. 

Most people think Crabtree is the top receiver followed by Maclin.  Who's next?

Mark Schlereth was talking Matt Cassel, systems, and development today on NFL Live.  He basically said Cassel is a system QB, which is usually the case with most QBs.  He brought up some good points on young QBs. Cassel, Ryan, and Flacco all benefitted from having good coaches to help them develop.  Cassel had a great staff in NE.  Ryan had Mike Mullarky and Bill Musgrave.  Joe Flacco had Cam Cameron and Hue jackson.  So breaking down the current staff and their experience, do we have the coaches to develop Thigpen or who ever they decide is our QB of the future?

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It is official the keys to the franchise are in Pioli's hands.  The presser today screamed professionalism and confidence.  The professionalism in how he answered a series of questions, but the one everyone wanted to know.  What about Herm.  Most sources around the league say he is gone, but Pioli(The Godfather) is going to handle that the same way he handled his hiring and his previous job. 

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I mean seriously people.  Isn't there more important things for congress to worry about?  Baseball's steroid problem.  If you want to call it a problem, had congress knee deep in that investigation.  Then they interrogated every major sports commisioner.  Spy gate was next.  Are you freaking kidding me?  Now NFLPA is in search of a replacement for the late Gene Upshaw and congress feels it is necessary to stick their nose in that.

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There is always a debate when it comes who you should pick with your first pick in the draft.  Ours tends to involve QB, DE, LB, or OT.  Adam Shefter says that taking a QB in the first round usually pays off. 

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As we all sit on pins a needle all weekend watching football.  We all love to do it, but it keeps our mind on the fact the we still have no GM and Herm is still the coach.  Our defense, unlike every team left in the playoffs is down right offensve.  It sounds like we won't be hearing anything new on the GM front until next week at the earliest.

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It seems that the popular pick by fans on here is LB.  With all but the Championship game over, we have had a chance to watch these favorite.  Maualaga played well in there beat down of Penn State.  Laurinitis didn't play bad, although it wasn't eye opening.  Aaron Curry who Todd McShay has as the first linebacker picked on his list didn't have a bowl game.  His game doesn't appear to have any holes in it, but the NFL is a different animal.  Brian Cushing is good but not worth a top 5, and same for Spikes, who we will be watching tonight.

Here goes the list of top 5 LBs taken from last year to 1980:

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There has been an ongoing debate about whether or not to draft a QB with our first pick.  I was kind of curious as to how successful this trend is.  Almost every year a QB is taken top 5.  Some are thrust into the lineup on day one, and some are backups for a year or two.  Here is a list of the top 5 QBS of the past.

You decide if we should use our 3rd pick on Bradford, Stafford, or a more pressing need.

The Manning,  Mcnabb , and Matt Ryan have worked out top 5.  How many haven't though? 

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It sounds like the leather jacket may be headed to MIami.  This may be the perfect setup for Carl.  They are in the playoffs, have young talent, a vet QB.  Very similar to the team he and Shotty built in the 90s.  Of course all this has to do with Parcells leaving or staying.  A lot of offseason drama this year.

Ross owned the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL and Peterson was their general manager. Peterson’s teams compiled a 48-13-1 record and he won two USFL Executive of the Year awards.

So if Parcells does decide to leave, where will he end up?  At home collecting a paycheck or with a new team?

                                                                                         Peterson@PFT.com

I didn't realize how close Bones is in his first season to other successful QBs.  He just may end up being the man.  I have been pretty critical of him down the stretch and sometimes I forget he was only in his second year.  If he fits into the the offense we run next year, whatever it ends up being then he could be that young guy we have always wanted.  

Thigpen is still being discriminated against for being a undrafted free agent if Brodie Croyle would have put up the same numbers as Thigpen the Chiefs would be screaming they have found their QB of the future.

2008 Tyler Thigpen (12 games) : Comp 230 Att 420 Passing Yards 2680 Cmp % 54.8 TD 18 INT 12 Rating 76

2006 Tony Romo ( 11 games): Comp 220 Att 337 Passing yards 2903 Cmp % 65.3 TD 19 INT 13 Rating 95.1

2008 Matt Ryan : Comp 265 Att 434 Passing yards 3440 Cmp% 61 TD 16 INT 11 Rating 87.7

1998 Peyton Manning : Comp 326 Att 575 Passing yards 3739 Cmp% 56.7 TD 26 INT 28 Rating 71.2

2002 Drew Brees : Comp 320 Att 526 Passing yards 3284 Cmp% 60.8 TD 17 INT 16 Rating 76.9

It sounds like Tony is his biggest fan, but we still have to bring someone in here.  We have to cover our backs especially with the QB history in this organization.  It all hinges on the new regime. 

                                                    Case for Thigpen

It appears that this could very well slow down the whole process in Cleveland.  They wanted to hurry up and get Pioli to mak a decision so that they could move on to McKay.  Looks like they will have to wait.

One reason for the delay very well might have been that, even if the Falcons are willing to let McKay leave, McKay is under contract with the Falcons and the Falcons’ season has not ended.  Thus, the Browns technically cannot request permission to interview McKay. 

                                                    PFT.com

Adam Schefter of the NFL Network:

While football’s focus continues to shine on former Steelers coach Bill Cowher despite the fact that he will not be back on the sidelines in 2009, another proven veteran NFL head coach is ready and willing to return to the game.

Former NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer is willing to coach again in the right situation surrounded by the right people, a league source said Monday. Schottenheimer already has been contacted by one team with a head coach opening, though no interview has been scheduled yet.

Any team in need of a turnaround — and that includes just about any team firing a head coach — would be well advised to look at Schottenheimer, who is 4-for-4 in turning around franchises in Cleveland, Kansas City, Washington and San Diego. Schottenheimer also has built strong coaching trees around him, hiring assistant coaches such as Cowher and Herman Edwards, among others.

Schottenheimer recently underwent a physical in which the doctor praised him for his physical and mental condition. Now Schottenheimer soon could be getting checkups from NFL teams in need of a head coach.

So where will he end up?

I didn't get to watch every game so please bare with me if I miss something.  I see this team has some bright spots and a lot of questions.  I know, "Thank you captain obvious."  Seriously though, the obvious was players like Flowers, Carr and Leggit.  Branden Albert was another rookie to leave his mark.  I still think the jury is out on Dorsey.  He has looked good in spots, but towards the end of the season he was rested a lot.  Next year will be a fair assessment to label him the man or bust. 

Our offense was terrible for the first part of the year and really just ok once Thigpen got to the helm.  He had bright spots and low ones.  That is to be expected with a first time starter.  We pretty much gave up on running the ball.  LJ got suspended, Smith to IR...again, Charles is a rookie and got banged up a bit, and Battle isn't anyones answer.

Defensively where do you start.  We sucked plain and simple.

So what will this team look like next year?  This is my opinion and is always up for debate. 

QB: For the sake of argument we will assume the Thigpen will be there.  With the latest info on Brady, it sounds like Cassel will probably get signed due to the possibility of Brady needing another surgery.  There are FA players, but other than Cassel who is really worth a shot.  Thigpen at the very least deserves a chance to be the starter.  Maybe someone like Graham Harrel later in the Draft.  If they address defense in FA, maybe they take Sam Bradford.  Doubt it though.  ESPN shows us taking Stafford in the first.

RB:  LJ will most likely not be here.  Either way I don't really care to be honest.  Charles should be better next year and maybe a little bigger.  Smith has been in the league twice and on IR twice.  FA players out there are Maurice Morris, Brandon Jacobs(will be a Giant), Darren Sproles who looked awesome all year, and a handful of others.  Possibly draft one in the late rounds.  We still need a true fullback.  Cox is alright but he isn't the street sweeper that we need.

WR:  I still don't know about Bowe.  He has a world of talent but seems to drop a lot of passes and his route running isn't as good as it needs to be.  I would like to see Bradley back.  After that who knows?  Boldin from Arizona is UFA and has expressed in the past he wanted out.  He would look good in KC. Houzmenzada how ever it is spelled is also UFA.  Not sure if he is the right guy for us. There are always receivers to be had in the draft.  Inglesias from OU, Percy Harvin and Louis Murphy are possibilties outside the first round.

TE:  Gonzo is the man but will he stay or will he go?  We don't really know about Cottam.  Good TE in the draft.  Coffman is a beast from MU.  The big 12 also has a couple of other good ones in Gresham from OU and Petigrew from OSU.

OL: It goes with out saying, even though I am saying.  Never quite understood "it goes without saying" statement.  Anyways we need help.  Branden Albert and Brian Waters are the only ones who should be annointed starters.  Would be nice to see Jordan Gross in KC.  That would give us bookends.  There are so many stud tackles in the draft as well. Niswanger is good if we are going smash mouth.  He is more of a Grunny style center.  Down hill blocker.  He may be the starter next year.  OG is still open opposite Waters.  Not sure if Sacintosh could play inside or not, but the right side of the line is terrible.  Maybe a late round pick could be someone like Luis Vasquez out of TTU or Cedric Dockery out of Texas.  No matter what happens in the offseason this will be addressed for sure.

DT:  Tank Tyler improved but not sure if he is the answer.  Dorsey needs another season and is possibly out of position.  Free agent Linemen are Tank Johnson, Albert Haynesworth(doubt he goes anywhere), Shaun Cody, Rocky Bernard.  Draft wise out of the second round may still have Ziggy Hood available.  He is listed as third best DT in the draft.  Other than that not real familiar with college DTs. 

DE: Hali will probably be the starter on the left side next year.  Julius Peppers is UFA and is my dream signing.  Doubt he goes anywhere but who knows?  Terrell Suggs is another player that might fill that spot.  In the draft everyone on here seems to love Orapko and he would look good here.  If we sign a stud FA we obviously won't draft him.  Michael Johnson out of GT is high on some lists but I really don't see him here.  This position will obviously be addressed with immediate help.

LB:  Lets just say right now that DJ will be a starter next year.  After that who know?  Do we keep DJ at MLB or move him back.  I really believe Demorrio Williams can play.  If we move DJ back to weak side and Williams to strong side, A stud middle will make all the difference.  UFA availble, Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, Karlos Dansby, Eric Barton, Mike Peterson, and Jonathon Vilma.  James Farrior and Channing Crowder are also UFA.  Draft wise we have all talked up Laurinaitus and Maualagu, but Derry Beckwith and Dannelle Ellerbe are also a couple to be considered.  The other option would be to leave DJ at MLB and draft Aaron Curry who is also a top five possibility.  Brian Cushing is another USC product who people are high on.  Zach Follet is pretty impressive after watching how he played against Miami in there bowl game.  Immediate help needed at starting positions!

DB:  We are pretty solid at this position.  We really don't need starters here.  Flowers and Carr have shown that they can start.  Our safeties have been criticized by fans, but they haven't had much help.  Our secondary can't cover guys for 10 seconds.  Maybe just need some depth.  Leggitt was good when given his shot.  Possible FA Phillip Buchanon, Atogwe, Asumogha, Brian Dawkins, Mike Brown, Bryant McFadden, Deltha O'neal.  OH yeah and also UFA our very own Jarrad Page.  We better not lose him.

P/K:  Colquit is the man.  Barth, who knows?  We have been cursed at this position since Lowry left.  UFA Mike Nuggent.  Draft wise I hope we don't draft a kicker.  Maybe Wolffert will be a FA.

GM:  Who knows where this ends up.  NE is out of the playoffs so now is the time for Pioli.  Mr. Hunt is very good at keeping his cards close to his vest, so we may not here a lot.

HC:  Herm?  Most people want him gone and a few say let him stay.  I have never seen a coach keep his job after going 15-33 in three seasons but I haven't studied it that close.  There are more questions this year than last, so we might win 1 game next year if he stays.  If he is fired who will be the head coach?  Sounds as if Cowher isn't on the market.  There is Marty and Billick out of work, but Billick may be content where he is.  Sounds as though Marty is looking at exec. possibilities.  New head coaches seem to be the trend.  Three of them are taking teams to the playoffs and one won the division.  Who will be that guy or those guys next year?

Like I said before this is just my opinion and is always up for debate.  Just thought this would be fun to look at.