NSLU: From now on, It’s “Mr. Veach, Sir!”
— Brett Veach – Eyes on the Prize,
Kicking the Tires and then some —
Every One who knows me knows that I was a big John Dorsey Proponent. I know I commented on Dorsey Saga and wondered what the heck was going on. We, here at Arrowhead One, tossed it around, sunk our teeth into the “Rag” and pulled like a pit bull against his most ardent opponent.
But in Steps Brett, who took to the water like a duck. He has been studiously involved in Kansas City’s teams and potential players. He then does something which seems, well, A cut above – as if he belonged already as a GM among many and perhaps, Hunt may have lost a damned good man in John Dorsey, but he brought a damned good man to the role with the Kingdom.
Enter Brett Veach
Veach immediately made moves that were positive for the Chiefs in outlook for the upcoming season. They may or may not pay off but the are acquisitions that strengthen player depth and even then, sometimes a move is superseded and in this case we have at least one of those.
Josh Mauga (Inside Linebacker)
Josh Mauga came to the team from the Jets and immediately was a fit for duty at ILB. He gave us a role player who could be considered a thumper and was a decent compliment to DJ. When he arrived he gave us stable play as the thumper ILB, or, MIKE if you will. The fans liked Mauga and it hurt a lot when he was hurt. With the concern at ILB, apparently obvious to Veach, he went out and brought Mauga back.
Personal Note
I believe anyone who knows me at all knows I feel that the Interior linebacking crew was an “Exposure.” Apparently Mr. Veach did as well. I’m not addressing Veach formally here purposely. I think he has gained much respect already since taking on the GM Role. At least he has for me. -deb
He is a role-playing ILB and had endeared himself to the Chiefs fans. He gives a different presence to the OL and that was a compliment to all the youth in the mix. That Strong side play is something that KC was lacking in 2016 and that was absent due to injury (Mauga himself). Still, he is a journeyman and is playing at the top of his potential.
Kevin Pierre-Louis (ILB)
The next move to be made was another which confused the Chiefs fans, but for me was at least understandable: Veach traded DJ Alexander, a speedy Linebacker for Kevin Pierre-Louis (Henceforth, KPL). Alexander played a big role for KC especially on Special Teams. However, he apparently was not being afforded the opportunity to earn a starting type role on the inside linebacker. Certainly DJ had speed. For whatever reason, Veach and Co felt the trade between KC and the Seahawks was viable for strengthening the ILB position (again, I am discussing a top inside LB who can fully do the MIKE Role and then some).
Then, as if the rumor mill was spot on about acquiring a top ILB that fit the bill, Veach traded a 4th round pick to the Bills to pick up Reggie Ragland (ILB) – Alabama),the former Crimson Tide LB standout. Ragland was, before the 2016 draft, diagnosed with a heart murmur and his draft stock fell, which meant his draft position dropped right along with it. He was 41st player in the draft, #5 in the second round and he was the first linebacker picked. Then he injured his knee and sat out the full 2016 season.
Meanwhile, at Cleveland, a regime change took place and McDermott, the new Defensive Coordinator installed a 43 defense and Ragland did not fit that system — he’s a 34 type ILB or “Strong side” LB. This meant that Ragland was on the wire and the Chiefs went to get him.
You might recall that Ragland was the second ILB pick in 2016’s draft for me? I wanted Jaylon Smith (who would sit out a year in rehab for Dallas). This item (#3), could be expanded in itself but that is going to get me beyond the scope of this piece about Brett Veach. I will get me deeper into the Ragland story on Saturday – let’s stick with Veach though because that is in keeping without the boundaries of my “object of attention.”
Big News followed Big news by 36 hours or so. The Chiefs sent a 5th round pick to the Cleveland Browns for Offensive Lineman Cam Erving (OT/OG) – out of FSU. This may really be a huge question for you if you know what happened with the player in Cleveland. They took a 1st round pick and he was a bust. At least for them. They placed him at Tackle, Guard and finally Center . He was apparently never going to fit what they wanted in Cleveland, so if KC gets anything at all it is a 1st round 2015 (#19 overall) and he was acquired for a 5th round pick in 2018.
So, think on that…
Erving was indeed on my draft list for 2015 but he was not a player I myself would have drafted in the first round. Still, Veach and his staff must believe that Erving can fulfill his initial promise. If a “Chief” is counting coup, this could be a second weapon striking the enemy to taunt them into submission. Huh.
We will have to wait and see.
If the problems Erving experienced had to do with the staff as much as the player – so okay now, really, think on that, after all, it’s THE BROWNS – and he finds a home in KC on the OL and contributes right away in this season, and the offense matches him with the mobility need and coordinated ZBS — ??? Well, it’s possible eh? which means that the gamble of a 5th round pick isn’t much of problem. Ragland matches up far better with the Chiefs defense as opposed to what Cleveland will do with McDermott.
What’s next Mr. Veach?
The rumor is from the NFL but I don’t know it’s origin. The Chiefs are said to be pursuing Cleveland’s former CB Joe Haden. Huh. Haden was the 2010 1ST Round pick (7th overall). However, it would appear to have been the case and the situation was not a fit – Haden went to the Steelers.
Editor’s Note: there’s still a possibility that the league could fine the Steelers for talking to Haden while he was still under contract with the Browns. They should just call that, “The Maclin Burger.”
I could see though, Veach’s vision of matching Haden with Peters and then having Mitchell as the 3rd. You can see Nelson and Gaines fitting and you can see that backed up by our very strong Safety Crew: Berry (of future HoF stature), Mr. Unsung hero- Ron Parker, Mr. Anything goes- Dan Sorensen, filling it out.
Whatever is next, Veach is going after it and doing it with a bold flourish. I like this. It takes off from where Dorsey left it. Mr. Veach is his own man and it is not Andy Reid managing the show.
For me? From Now on it is… “Mr. Veach, Sir.”
David Bell – about to head west toward the Bitterroot
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