I watched all 10 of these, and while they were usually filled with a fair amount of fluff, I thought there were some things to take note of. Here is my non-professional summary of the Gruden QB Camp episodes:

• Spider 3 Y Banana. Banana, banana, banana. And that you never throw the Venus on the Spider 3 Y Banana.
• Andrew Luck is a bright guy, and has all the tools to be elite.
  
  (more after the jump)

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When it comes to this off-season, if we can get Peyton Manning, great! I go into this mock assuming the roster stands as is. So keep Cassel or re-sign Orton, Bowe coming back, etc. I tried to make this a reasonable draft, but of course draft stock could change dramatically in the next 2 months. Also, as much as I would like to see it, I don't believe the Chiefs will trade up for Luck or Griffin, and I don't believe either will be available at #11. Given that's the case and that the dropoff from those two is so large, I don't think we find an immediate fix in the draft, much as I would love to.

The one roster-related comment I will make is that I think we should pass on Poe and sign Soliai. Poe did not play much NT in college and is extremely raw IMO. That being said, here goes...

1 (11) Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Everybody knows about this guy. He’s big, skilled, intelligent and regarded as a team leader. Played left tackle in college, but has the skill set for either side. He’s a top half of the first round lock. We need help at RT and he would step in and play that position well Day 1.

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Over the last few days, I've spent some time reflecting on this Chiefs season, and it struck me how similar the 2011 Broncos were to the 2010 Chiefs. Bear with me here - I know it's hard to stomach the comparison.

In 2010, Matt Cassel struggled out of the gate, then as he limited his mistakes, we started winning ballgames based on our running game and defense. They won a lot of games against bad teams. The last 2 games of the season, we finished with a whimper as Cassel stopped putting up numbers and turned the ball over 5 times, something he did only 3 times in his previous 12 games.

In 2011, Tim Tebow was not the starter out of the gate, and the team was struggling. He started some games, and the team started winning behind its running game and defense. They won a lot of games against bad teams. In the last 2 games of the season, he stopped putting up numbers and turned the ball over 6 times, something he did only 6 times in his previous 9 games.

It's not an exact parallel, of course, but the similarities are apparent. The Broncos enter the playoffs on a low note much the same as the Chiefs did last year, and it's not hard to imagine an experienced defense like Pittsburgh man-handling the Broncos much the same as the Ravens did to the Chiefs last year.

I think it's pretty obvious what the common thread is here: In the NFL, you can win games with a mediocre quarterback if all other elements are very good, but as a rule you cannot expect to win consistently and when it matters.

I've spent some time contemplating the reasons for what I perceive as the Chiefs' lack of depth in 2011, specifically I wanted to take a look at whether the Chiefs' free agency and drafting in Pioli's time here was to blame for it.  To do so, I decided to compare the Chiefs' and Patriots' drafts and free agent singings since Pioli has been in KC.  To preface, my definition of an impact player is someone who sees the field regularly and/or has a significant impact on the game's outcome.  I am only including players currently on their respective team's roster.  The results are a little different than I expected. (more after the jump)

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Now that Steve Breaston is in the fold (a fantastic move IMO), everyone is wondering who's next in KC.  While I don't know any more than anyone else what will happen in the near future, I have put together a short list of who I think could end up in a Chiefs uniform.

#1. NT Aubrayo Franklin - I know - thank you, Captain Obvious.  Franklin certainly would make our D-Line better, and if Tyson Jackson makes that 3rd year leap this year with Franklin and Dorsey by his side, watch out!  This could be a heck of a defense.

#2. FB Le'Ron McClain - A bruising runner and a good blocker.  In KC, he would get more carries and let TJ fill more of a backup role.  The combination of his and Charles' running styles is ideal.

#3. OT Jermon Bushrod - Young, skilled tackle who could very well solidify our offensive line.   This depends on how highly the Saints value him. Re-signed with the Saints

#4. ILB Barret Ruud - A tackling machine in his prime, went to college at nearby Nebraska, and would definitely be an upgrade over Belcher.  Early reports were that he would be back with Tampa Bay, but now they have signed Quincy Black, and it strongly appears he's gone from the Bucs. Is more of a weakside linebacker.

#5. ILB Stephen Tulloch - Similar to Ruud, Tulloch could be a big help at a position of need.  Sounds like he'll most likely end up in Detroit, but you never know.

#6. OT Jared Gaither - Similar to Bushrod, a young tackle with serious upside.  Consistency has been a problem, which may turn the Chiefs off.  May end up in Oakland, where his immense size would make sense for all those measurables Al Davis loves so much.

#7. OT Willie Colon - Injured much of last year, but when healthy is a very good OT.  Still only 28.

Edit:

Add OT Ryan Harris - A young, tough blocker who would instantly improve the OL.

Add ILB Kevin Burnett - Another hitting-his-prime thumper.

I think Shaun Smith will be back to add depth along the D-Line, no matter who we sign as a free agent.   With Jackson, Dorsey, Bailey, Powe and Gilberry under contract, any NT signing would likely guarantee Smith not coming back to KC, right?

Any names you don't see that should be on the list?

Jason Kirk at SBNation has put together a list of notable UDFAs.  You can see the whole list here.  FWIW, here are some guys I'd like to see in a Chiefs uniform:

I think we still need some depth at wide receiver.  We have Baldwin, Bowe, Chambers, and McCluster, who may or may not be used as a slot guy this year.  I think we need 2 more receivers, and while Verran Tucker was ok, there are some rookies that could step in and challenge for playing time:

Darvin Adams - Tall (6'3", 185) receiver who was the #1 option for Cam Newton.  Was mostly a deep threat in college and doesn't seem to have the speed (4.56 40) to be the same in the pros.  However, is this a case of game speed vs. shorts speed?

Tori Gurley - Big (6'4", 225), physical wide receiver with decent speed (4.53 40).  Didn't have a single drop last year.  Good with jump balls, raw route runner.

Jeff Maehl - Thin receiver (6'0", 175) but a great route runner with good hands.  An underdog to be sure, his size and speed (4.65 40) will be challenges.  He did, however, set a record  for the 3 cone drill at the combine, showing his natural route running ability.  I think the biggest question is - can he survive in the NFL as a slot guy with that slight of a frame?

Dane Sanzenbacher - Average size (5'11") with decent speed (4.52 40) and good hands.  Team leader with high football IQ and instincts.  Not much of a leaper, but will make a solid possession receiver somewhere.

Others after the jump:

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Hypothetically, if we're looking at a receiver in the second round, who would you go with?

Here are the receiversI've seen projected in the second round (rank and information from CBSSports.com):

Rank Name    WR Rank School    Class  Ht.         Wt.      40 Time  Bench

Personally, my order would be:
Hankerson, Baldwin, Smith, Cobb, Jernigan

I understand that Hankerson and Smith may well be gone by the time the Chiefs get to draft, but I don't understand Cobb over Baldwin if both are available.  Is it versatility?  Is it leadership?  As far as tangible wide receiver assets go (from NFL.com's draft combine pages):

                      40 Time Bench Press Vertical Broad Jump 3 Cone 20 Shuttle 60 Shuttle
Cobb 4.46 16 Reps 33.5" 115" 7.08 4.34 11.56
Baldwin 4.49 20 Reps 42" 129" 7.07 4.34 11.40

Career College Stats Receptions Yards YPC TD
Cobb 144 1661 11.5 13
Baldwin 128 2337 18.3 16

So Baldwin is 6" taller, has basically exactly the same speed when comparing across the board, is a better leaper, stronger, and has demonstrated a greater ability for big plays.   I know Cobb seems to be a great guy and is from the SEC, so maybe those things come into play... it just seems black-and-white to me.

I know this changes daily, and is open to speculation, but I'll throw out some of the names we've heard here or elsewhere:

Lekan Ajayi: *** 6'9"-6'11", 220-240 Athletic defender and rebounder but unpolished offensively, he has narrowed his list to Auburn, Missouri and Loyola Marymount.

Elijah Carter: *** 6'1"-6'2", 170-180 Strong, slashing combo guard from New Hampshire with a streaky outside shot.   Tim Fuller has apparently made contact, so it appears the interest is there.

Tony Kimbro: *** 6'4"-6'6", 170-195 Swingman with interest from Oklahoma State, USC, Arkansas, Western Kentucky, and a few others.  I don't believe we've offered him yet, but it sounds like he'd commit if offered soon.

Richard Peters: *** 6'10", 220-250 Center who is a former Oklahoma commit, but re-opened his recruitment after Capel left Oklahoma.  He's known Kadeem Green for a long time and sounds like he'd come to Missouri if offered but may not have been contacted yet.  He has not academically qualified yet (I believe it's just SAT at this point) but that should be a known commodity fairly soon.

Tony Woods: Transfer from Wake Forest, former *****.  6'11", 245.  Dismissed from Wake Forest for a misdemeanor assault on a female, he was reportedly headed to Louisville before Tim Fuller left for Ol' Mizzou.  As has already been discussed on Rock M, this is a high risk/potentially high reward move.

Any other names floating around?  Who from this list do you want to see here?  Any additional insight on these guys?  Does it change for you depending on whether Phil Pressey returns?

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The early lines on NFL season wins are up on ESPN.com Insider now.   The Venetian/Palazzo line and Lucky's both show the Chiefs with 6 wins (so a 6-10 record).

So what do you think - Did they get it right?  (AFC East win lines after the jump)

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Scouts Inc's next 3 Chiefs picks on ESPN.com's NFL draft page:

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On the play near the end of the game where the receiver was down and the defense ripped the ball out after the receiver was already down, two things:

1) Isn't that delay of game on the defense?  Piling on a player when he was already clearly down, then taking the ball and acting like they were running it back?

2) Even if it wasn't, shouldn't some time have been put back on the clock?  It seemed like we lost several seconds while they were messing around.  I don't know that we win or even tie the game, but 18-20 seconds is much better than 12 when you've got 40 yards to go.

Thanks, guys.

Please forgive if this has already been posted - I couldn't find that it had.  Among other things:

1. Focus on Matt Cassel: The Chiefs' new QB resembles a taller, sturdier version of Trent Green. That thought should put Chiefs fans at ease.... Receiver Dwayne Bowe and other players on offense love how well Cassel leads the huddle. Years of being Tom Brady's understudy helped him become a leader. Once Cassel gets to the huddle, he quickly puts his 10 other players at ease by explaining the situations and delivering the assignments.

Here's the link: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp09/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=4385892