Originally Posted by Rausch:
We need to make our all out push before Pat's new contract.
Whatever Spags wants get him. Whatever we can do to improve the D - DO IT.
Oh I agree. And we'll make the push as best we can. But there's one thing everyone needs to consider; part of bringing Spags to KC is getting this defense ready to compete in, and Veach prepared to acquire for, this defense in a "post-Mahomes contract reality".
If you look at the roster as it stands on the books today, outside of Houston and Jones, we really don't have "stars" on this defense. Nor do we have a vast collection of solid contributors who can get the sun to shine on their asses from time to time while NOT losing games for us.
*Note: I'm not bringing Berry in to this conversation because it's absolutely pointless in terms of him contributing anything of worth from here on out.
So we've got one proven vet that you can flip a coin on in terms of whether or not he's going to have a good season, and a young ascending player. Beyond that we've got transitional question marks, hopefuls, and scrub-a-licious crap.
So we're at a point right now where the necessary dynamic-shift can begin to take place, and it NEEDS to take place. Right now. Today. For those who would hope that the Chiefs, even if they HAD the cap room, were going to to purchase the services of a singular( or two ), extreme-dollar player(s) when they can use that money to acquire TWO( or more )dependable players, proven commodities, are out of their minds.
First, we're in no position financially to go that route. And second, why would we even WANT to? This isn't Peyton Manning with a few good years left, and I don't want to end up like Denver or the post-Vermeil Chiefs either.
We need to build this defense solidly and steadily, bringing in "big stars" only if they are willing to meet our terms and needs as a team. Doing our best to grab impact in the draft, and using FA wisely to acquire as many solid, dependable, and COACHABLE players as we can to plug holes and fill depth.
And it's likely to go down like this anyway, because Reid is always going to be pushing to keep Mahomes surrounded with weapons( though personally I would invest in the best line I could while keeping no more than two impact guys receiving the football, and rotating out dependable, hungry young RB's ). To offense goes the glory in this league, right?
Originally Posted by htismaqe:
You have to have a few veterans in there somewhere. They don't have to be expensive but they have to be in the mix.
Originally Posted by Hoover:
I agree, but we are not trading for them and then giving them a big contract.
This is the tricky part. Our supply of defensive leaders right now consists of an OLB who has been only too happy to step aside and let others lead, that "other" being the now-defunct Hobospirit 29. I get conflicting reports; some sources praise Houston for his leadership, others say he's supportive but not able to fill the void that Berry has left, so I really don't know and couldn't say.
Like most, I would prefer that my leaders come home-grown. Up through the draft, raised in the system, and 100% a Chief. But right now, in terms of active players, we're running thin.
I'm wondering if it might be a good idea to bring in an established vet or two, on the tail end but still able to compete and contribute, for reasonable and short-term contracts? This would allow us to get Jones a couple more years in the system along with any promising players we might already have, and will hopefully draft.
I'll be the first to admit it's not the ideal situation, but I'd rather go that route than picking up another Hitchens( or two ), and hoping your going to get a good/great player for 4 or 5 years at a high-dollar asking price.
And besides, this would be temporary anyway. A stop-gap of two good guys who would have a better shot of competing for a ring in KC than at their current situation, and who could give us time to do more grooming.
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