A FEW SATURDAY NOTES & MORE CHIEFS' DRAFT POSSIBILITIES
The Washington Redskins made a surprising move yesterday, signing former Pittsburgh running back Willie Parker. The free agent joins a very crowded backfield comprised of Clinton Portis & Larry Johnson. I can't see any way these three can co-exist in the same backfield for a full season. All three are former starters & all three carry big egos in addition to their excess baggage. Mike Shanahan isn't known for playing games with his players, but this looks an awful lot like an attempt to motivate all three to perform better & be better team players. All three have had lingering injury issues thruout their careers & all three have a history of sulking, pouting & poor attitudes. At this point in their careers, I couldn't make a case for retaining any of them.
Bernard Pollard signed his tender offer with the Houston Texans on Friday, guaranteeing him $2.4 million this season. He said he wanted to stay in Houston & hoped they could come to terms on a long term deal. Pollard was very unceremoniously dumped by the Chiefs because he & coach Todd Haley couldn't get along with each other. He signed with the Texans during week two & finished as Houston's #2 tackler. He also picked three passes, returning 2 for touchdowns. Considering just how poor the Chiefs' safeties performed last season, seeing Pollard excel in Houston is pretty painful, especially since K.C. got absolutely nothing for Pollard after expending a 2006 2nd round choice to acquire him.
Mark Sanchez waited until February 17th to have knee surgery, nearly a month after their season ended.He isn't able to run yet & won't return to the team until after the OTA's. Now that the word is out regarding when he can rejoin his teammates in their off-season workouts, some of those teammates aren't too happy & have spoken out with their displeasure. "It's a shame he waited so long before having the surgery, if anyone on this team needed the OTA's, it was Mark" said an unnamed team leader. Several others reacted to Sanchez's absence when the off-season workouts began without him. "very poor planning for a guy who's supposed to be our leader" said another. Some of this is sour grapes, if they have to work & sweat, they want everybody present & that's understandable. I learned long ago, if your actions might look bad, they will to someone.
Time to explore the draft possibilities for the Kansas City Chiefs. For Romeo Crennell to improve this pathetic defense, they will need someone in the middle to slow down teams that run the ball between the tackles. A nose tackle that requires a double team at all times, one that stands his ground forcing ballcarriers to hesitate, looking for an alternative spot to penetrate the defense. The Chiefs have two legitimate nose tackle candidates, veteran Ron Edwards & newcomer Shaun Smith. Edwards isn't the guy & considering Shaun Smith's history since joining the league, I question his potential for anything more than backup duty. In six NFL seasons, Smith has played for Cincinnati, New Orleans, back to Cincy, Cleveland, then back to Cincy again. I can see Crennell's interest in Smith, he had his best season playing for Romeo in Cleveland. Had 48 solo tackles, 14 assists, knocked down 3 passes, recorded 2 sacks & forced one fumble. At 6' 2" & 325, he has the size to play this very tough position. It's not a position where you make a lot of plays, it's brutally tough, tiring, blue-collar work without much recognition. Playing the nose requires a special mind-set.
As the league converts to more & more 3-4 defensive schemes, the need for the big space-eating run-stuffers increases. Because of the need, prospects who can play this spot will be drafted higher than they would if they were only considered for a 4-3 front. Keep that in mind as I give you my opinion on this draft's best nose tackle prospects. The number in parenthesis is where I think this player will be drafted.
1. Dan Williams--6' 2" 329 Tennessee
Hardly on my radar before this season, this ranking is based solely on his performance as a senior. He had an awesome Senior Bowl week propelling him into the 1st round. He's not as physical as he should be, bad hand fighter, gets locked up too often by interior linemen. Excellent play recognition tho & he moves extremely well laterally. Can push the pocket far enough to keep the QB from stepping up. Good motor & work ethic. (1st)
2. Terrence Cody--6' 4" 349 Alabama
Cody could be a perennial all-pro, if he can control his weight. Came to 'Bama at over 400 pounds & played most of 2 seasons at 370. He needs to be around 335, he was told that at the Senior Bowl when he came in at 371. He's lost 22 pounds since then. He needs to get into better shape, his stamina wanes in the 4th quarter, often when he's needed most. Huge with long arms, Cody engulfs both blockers & ballcarriers. Blocks field goals with low, powerful penetration. He will need some tough love from a position coach & his defensive coordinator. JC transfer, played in 26 straight for Tide. (1st-2nd)
3. Cam Thomas--6' 3 331 North Carolina
Extremely raw, but productive & tough prospect. Huge with great natural strength & the ability to ignore pain(played nearly all of '09 season with a broken hand). Big butt, big thighs, low center of gravity for his height. Hard to block as long as he stays low, could become a real force if he can use his hands better to keep blockers off of him. Started 28 straight games for the Tar Heels (2nd-3rd)
4. Linval Joseph--6' 4 3/4" 327 East Carolina
Junior who bailed on the Pirates when coach Skip Holtz left for South Florida. Might have developed into a 1st-2nd round talent if he had stayed in school. Tall with long arms & great natural strength, Joseph might be a year or two away from becoming a starter, he needs some very patient coaching to correct the obvious flaws in his game. Too high at times, only average hand position & technique plus he's not fluid enough to breakdown in open spaces for the tackle. Very quick first step tho & has the strength & anchor to require a double team all the time. With his age, only 20, he has upside. Never saw him dog it on a single play. (3rd-4tf)
5. Torell Troup--6' 3" 314 Central Florida
He looks like he could gain 15 more pounds & still be effective. Plain ole "country strong" kid. Started 36 consecutive games for the Golden Knights. Almost impossible to move off the line, even with a double team. Too often he's satisfied with a stalemate tho, seemingly happy tying up two blockers. Other than Cody, Troup might have the most upside with his rare frame & his ability to swallow up anything that comes thru the middle. (3rd)
6. Martin Tevaseu--6' 2" 332 UNLV
This is an intriguing prospect who if he makes a team, will need a year or two of very patient coaching. The practice squad might be ideal for this powerful Samoan. Like all the other players with Samoan heritage, he has a low center of gravity & great natural strength. He's also pretty quick in a very small area. He has very few acquired football skills, everything I see is natural ability, so if he can be coached up, he could be very good. Played at near 350 in college, but has dropped 18 pounds & needs to shed maybe 10 more. He does have the frame to carry a lot of weight. I've seen flashes of what he might become from time to time, just not often enough. (7th-undrafted free agent)
Comments or questions? Please submit comments at the end of each article. I welcome emails at rich@richsfootballreport.com
Bernard Pollard signed his tender offer with the Houston Texans on Friday, guaranteeing him $2.4 million this season. He said he wanted to stay in Houston & hoped they could come to terms on a long term deal. Pollard was very unceremoniously dumped by the Chiefs because he & coach Todd Haley couldn't get along with each other. He signed with the Texans during week two & finished as Houston's #2 tackler. He also picked three passes, returning 2 for touchdowns. Considering just how poor the Chiefs' safeties performed last season, seeing Pollard excel in Houston is pretty painful, especially since K.C. got absolutely nothing for Pollard after expending a 2006 2nd round choice to acquire him.
Mark Sanchez waited until February 17th to have knee surgery, nearly a month after their season ended.He isn't able to run yet & won't return to the team until after the OTA's. Now that the word is out regarding when he can rejoin his teammates in their off-season workouts, some of those teammates aren't too happy & have spoken out with their displeasure. "It's a shame he waited so long before having the surgery, if anyone on this team needed the OTA's, it was Mark" said an unnamed team leader. Several others reacted to Sanchez's absence when the off-season workouts began without him. "very poor planning for a guy who's supposed to be our leader" said another. Some of this is sour grapes, if they have to work & sweat, they want everybody present & that's understandable. I learned long ago, if your actions might look bad, they will to someone.
Time to explore the draft possibilities for the Kansas City Chiefs. For Romeo Crennell to improve this pathetic defense, they will need someone in the middle to slow down teams that run the ball between the tackles. A nose tackle that requires a double team at all times, one that stands his ground forcing ballcarriers to hesitate, looking for an alternative spot to penetrate the defense. The Chiefs have two legitimate nose tackle candidates, veteran Ron Edwards & newcomer Shaun Smith. Edwards isn't the guy & considering Shaun Smith's history since joining the league, I question his potential for anything more than backup duty. In six NFL seasons, Smith has played for Cincinnati, New Orleans, back to Cincy, Cleveland, then back to Cincy again. I can see Crennell's interest in Smith, he had his best season playing for Romeo in Cleveland. Had 48 solo tackles, 14 assists, knocked down 3 passes, recorded 2 sacks & forced one fumble. At 6' 2" & 325, he has the size to play this very tough position. It's not a position where you make a lot of plays, it's brutally tough, tiring, blue-collar work without much recognition. Playing the nose requires a special mind-set.
As the league converts to more & more 3-4 defensive schemes, the need for the big space-eating run-stuffers increases. Because of the need, prospects who can play this spot will be drafted higher than they would if they were only considered for a 4-3 front. Keep that in mind as I give you my opinion on this draft's best nose tackle prospects. The number in parenthesis is where I think this player will be drafted.
1. Dan Williams--6' 2" 329 Tennessee
Hardly on my radar before this season, this ranking is based solely on his performance as a senior. He had an awesome Senior Bowl week propelling him into the 1st round. He's not as physical as he should be, bad hand fighter, gets locked up too often by interior linemen. Excellent play recognition tho & he moves extremely well laterally. Can push the pocket far enough to keep the QB from stepping up. Good motor & work ethic. (1st)
2. Terrence Cody--6' 4" 349 Alabama
Cody could be a perennial all-pro, if he can control his weight. Came to 'Bama at over 400 pounds & played most of 2 seasons at 370. He needs to be around 335, he was told that at the Senior Bowl when he came in at 371. He's lost 22 pounds since then. He needs to get into better shape, his stamina wanes in the 4th quarter, often when he's needed most. Huge with long arms, Cody engulfs both blockers & ballcarriers. Blocks field goals with low, powerful penetration. He will need some tough love from a position coach & his defensive coordinator. JC transfer, played in 26 straight for Tide. (1st-2nd)
3. Cam Thomas--6' 3 331 North Carolina
Extremely raw, but productive & tough prospect. Huge with great natural strength & the ability to ignore pain(played nearly all of '09 season with a broken hand). Big butt, big thighs, low center of gravity for his height. Hard to block as long as he stays low, could become a real force if he can use his hands better to keep blockers off of him. Started 28 straight games for the Tar Heels (2nd-3rd)
4. Linval Joseph--6' 4 3/4" 327 East Carolina
Junior who bailed on the Pirates when coach Skip Holtz left for South Florida. Might have developed into a 1st-2nd round talent if he had stayed in school. Tall with long arms & great natural strength, Joseph might be a year or two away from becoming a starter, he needs some very patient coaching to correct the obvious flaws in his game. Too high at times, only average hand position & technique plus he's not fluid enough to breakdown in open spaces for the tackle. Very quick first step tho & has the strength & anchor to require a double team all the time. With his age, only 20, he has upside. Never saw him dog it on a single play. (3rd-4tf)
5. Torell Troup--6' 3" 314 Central Florida
He looks like he could gain 15 more pounds & still be effective. Plain ole "country strong" kid. Started 36 consecutive games for the Golden Knights. Almost impossible to move off the line, even with a double team. Too often he's satisfied with a stalemate tho, seemingly happy tying up two blockers. Other than Cody, Troup might have the most upside with his rare frame & his ability to swallow up anything that comes thru the middle. (3rd)
6. Martin Tevaseu--6' 2" 332 UNLV
This is an intriguing prospect who if he makes a team, will need a year or two of very patient coaching. The practice squad might be ideal for this powerful Samoan. Like all the other players with Samoan heritage, he has a low center of gravity & great natural strength. He's also pretty quick in a very small area. He has very few acquired football skills, everything I see is natural ability, so if he can be coached up, he could be very good. Played at near 350 in college, but has dropped 18 pounds & needs to shed maybe 10 more. He does have the frame to carry a lot of weight. I've seen flashes of what he might become from time to time, just not often enough. (7th-undrafted free agent)
Comments or questions? Please submit comments at the end of each article. I welcome emails at rich@richsfootballreport.com
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