Kansas City Strips

In an attempt to localize my blogging coverage, I am going to start discussing the Chiefs and Royals to a larger extent.

First off: The Kansas City Royals

They will simply be better this year. It’s hard to have people believe me because I am so optimistic every year but something is different this year in spring training. The key is that more competition is occurring.  Guys like Brian Bannister who was the number three guy in the rotation last year might not even make the team this year. I love the guy but he simply is not pitching well in spring training and didn’t pitch overly well last year. 

Everyone has stated that although the team is stressing the on-base percentage statistic as important in their team strategy, the roster is not full of players that usually have a large on-base percentage. While I cannot despute that, I still think this team will flat out rock in the home run category. I guess whether or not runners will be on base at all during the home runs will be a different story.

I mean with Guillen, Jacobs, Butler and Gordon all capable of 2o+ home runs, that is a solid core. Add in Olivo with at least 15 and maybe 15 from Teahen if he plays enough,(he is tearing up spring training but who knows), and John Buck who appears to be swinging better, then there is a solid core of home run hitters on the team.

The key will be for Aviles, DeJesus and Crisp to get on base. Props to new hitting coach Kevin Seitzer. I know all the press always has a positive spin on the impact of new coaching but he appears to be a hard worker who has already done some good things when it comes to aiding hitters. His work seems to definitely be focused on Gordon and Buck right now as both appear to have made strides.

I predicted that Kyle Davies would be a 15 game winner before spring training started and he has done nothing to make me think differently. He will probably be the number 3 guy this year and I am excited. He was a pretty high prospect that never seemed to get it together in Atlanta. He still is young though and I am stoked to see him be a consistent pitcher this year.

Now onto football and the Kansas City Chiefs.

All the talk right now in KC sports land revolves around the Chiefs running a 3-4 defense next season. I can promise you they will not specialize in it to a large extent though. Why you ask? Because Glenn Dorsey is still on the team plus they don’t have a solid 3-4 defensive front personnel-wise yet.

Dorsey’s career will be really interesting to watch now. He simply doesn’t fit a 3-4 allignment in my book. He doesn’t have large arms to take on multiple blockers and simply doesn’t seem to be a nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme. Thus four man fronts will be required for him to be in the game. The team has invested way too much in him for his bench-warming skills to be illustrated.  To be honest, a lot of people were down on him last year. He did finish rather strong and it seemed he played way too often and didn’t receive nearly enough plays off. Defensive linemen arguably should receive the most subbing because they are big men and high intensity  is required on every play.  He could possibly switch to defensive end in the 3-4 scheme but again he is not tall or lanky so it will be hard for him to battle against taller, more athletic tackles.

The Chiefs linebacking core still needs some upgrading. I felt new linebacker Demorrio Williams was not utilized last season but it is hard to see him fitting in a 3-4 scheme because he is underweight and not overly tall either. Bringing in Mike Vrabel to teach the scheme while playing was smart but he can only do so much because he is aging.

Props to new coach Todd Haley for calling quarterback Tyler Thigpen and telling him to show up and compete because newly acquired QB Matt Cassell will not be handed the starting job. This is smart and once again competition breeds success. I am worried about Cassell operating in the same style of offense as he did in New England because the Chiefs don’t yet have a strong offensive line for it. Hopefully some good personnel moves and coaching will make the transition easier.

Thanks for reading.

Mock Draft One

1. DET- Aaron Curry, LB  WAKE FOREST- With a new coach that comes from Tennessee where linebackers play a huge role, the Lions can’t pass on the best player available in the draft.

2. STL- Eugene Monroe, T VIRGINIA- The team appears to be upset with Alex Barron and he might be replaced. Also Orlando Pace, the future Hall of Famer, is getting older and has problems staying healthy.

3. KC- B.J. Raji, DT BOSTON COLLEGE-  The team must acquire good players and Raji is the best player available. The team must make the transition to the 3-4 and they don’t currently have a definite nose tackle on the roster.

4. SEA- Everette Brown, LB FLORIDA STATE- Linebacker Leroy Hill has had problems with the law and could be replaced. The team really needs defensive line help here but Brown will make a solid core of linebackers with Julian Peterson and Lofa Tatupu.

5. CLE- Jason Smith, T BAYLOR- Joe Thomas is a beast at one tackle position but the other side is not so solid. Smith can come in and provide immediate support.

6. CIN- Brian Orakpo, DE TEXAS- The team needs a lot of pass rushing help so the top picks in the secondary can perform at a higher level. Orakpo has elite athleticism and can get to the quarterback.

7. OAK- Michael Crabtree, WR TEXAS TECH- Crabtree is a legit prospect and simply put the film doesn’t lie. Getting Russell some talent at receiver will help out the offense and the team will really have a solid group of young players.

8. JAC- Matthew Stafford, QB GEORGIA- I really like David Garrard but the team feels obligated to upgrade the passing game. The offensive line was aided with the signing of Tra Thomas.

9. GB- Aaron Maybin, LB PENN STATE- The team could go with Malcolm Jenkins to bolster the secondary but the transition to the 3-4 allignment requires more linebackers and Maybin fits the bill.

10. SF- Malcolm Jenkins, DB OHIO STATE- The 49ers could use a little help at several positions but Jenkins ranks the highest here and could play safety or corner in San Fran.

11. BUF- Michael Oher, T OLE MISS- Jason Peters is angry over contract negotiations and could be traded. Langston Walker is nothing  more than solid on the other side. Oher has problems with a lack of intensity so teams might shy away some.

12. DEN- Rey Maualuga, LB USC- He is a safe pick despite looking slow and getting hurt at the combine. The film shows a solid linebacker who simply is a solid tackler. With the 3-4 being implemented, he will start right away.

13. WAS- Andre Smith, T ALABAMA- The Redskins still need o-line help and Smith is crazy talented despite possibly being a head-case. If he can get his mind in the right place, he will excel.

14 NO- Chris Wells, RB OHIO STATE- The Saints need some help in the secondary but have already invested in several young players including Tracy Porter and Usama Young who could contribute. Reggie Bush cannot pound the ball up the middle and Deuce McAllister is off the roster. Wells can fill in and still gain some occasional outside yards because of his athleticism.

15. HOU- Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR MARYLAND- Andre Johnson can get double-teamed and needs a compliment. This guy tore up the combine and can stretch the field.

16. SD- Peria Jerry, DT MISSISSIPPI- This guy has really rose up the charts recently and can eventually replace Jamal Williams in the middle of the 3-4.

17. NYJ- Mark Sanchez, QB USC- The Jets are praying for one of the QBs to fall to them and could possibly trade up. Kellen Clemons might be the answer but he might not be. At least he is a veteran.

18. CHI- Eben Britton, T ARIZONA- The Bears are in desperate need of tackles. First round pick Chris Williams  from a year ago is essentially a rookie because of an injury and Britton would make a good tandem with him.

19. TB- Jeremy Maclin, WR MISSOURI- The team is in real need of some speed with the departure of Joey Galloway. Maclin is real explosive and can contribute with his speed.

20. DET- William Beatty- T CONNECTICUT- The team needs some offensive line upgrades because they want to dominate upfront. Beatty will provide great blocks for emerging running back Kevin Smith.

21. PHI- Sean Smith, DB UTAH- Replacing Brian Dawkins is a tough task but Smith is athletic enough to make plays. He could also contribute as the nickel back if need be.

22. MIN- Percy Harvin, WR FLORIDA- The team was interested in adding free agent receivers despite already having Bernard Berrian, Sidney Rice and the likes. They were unable to sign anyone so Harvin might be there guy.

23. NE- Clay Matthews, LB USC- This guy blew up at the combine by showing off his athleticism. The 3-4 defense needs athletes, especially in New England where Mike Vrabel is gone and Teddy Bruschi is aging.

24. ATL- Brian Cushing, LB USC- The team has emerging linebacker Curtis Lofton and just signed Mike Peterson. Adding Cushing makes this a dominant core. The secondary might also get upgraded with this pick.

25. MIA- James Laurinitis, LB OHIO STATE- The team is also running a 3-4 and needs linebackers to make plays. This guy is just a solid player that really understands the game.

26. BAL- Alphonso Smith, DB WAKE FOREST- A lack of healthy defensive backs cost the team a Super Bowl trip last season. The team will have Fabian Washington and Dominique Foxworth as starters and Smith can develop as the nickel.

27. IND- KNOWSHON MORENO, RB GEORGIA- This might be a surprise pick but Joseph Addai can’t stay healthy and two back systems are in right now. Moreno can uses his talents to keep the Indy offense at an elite level.

28. PHI- Brandon Pettigrew, TE OKLAHOMA STATE- The team needs a talented tight end to help out as L.J. Smith might not be back. This guy can’t run overly fast but he has good hands and is a talented blocker.

29. NYG- D.J. Moore, DB VANDERBILT- The team needs to continue to add some youth in the secondary and Moore has the talent to play zone or man.

30. TEN- Ron Brace, DT BOSTON COLLEGE- Losing Albert Haynesworth was bad and getting a replacement is important to the keep the defense playing at a high level.

31. ARI- Robert Ayers, DE TENNESSEE- They lost Antonio Smith in free agency and need to add some youth upfront. Ayers has risen considerably with a strong senior year.

32. PIT- Hakeem Nicks, WR NORTH CAROLINA- Hines Ward looked slow in the playoffs and is getting older. Nicks runs solid routes and can make a big impact early on.