Brett Veach has served the Pie–We’re Waiting for the A la Mode

Waiting is a Tough thing To Do

We’re all experiencing this right now. In the AFC West, our opponents have improved their team, made significant signings. We are witnessing this occurring real-time but for us, the clock appears to fractionally move forward. It’s “time” we all take a deep breath and not have a panic attack. Do that now, while perusing these thoughts. This is like going to the local Diner, ordering Apple Pie A la Mode, having the Waitress named “Flo” Bring the serving of pie, sans the vanilla ice cream. C’mon David. Be Patient.

What Has Been Accomplished to This Point

Offensive Tackle – Orlando Brown was secured at $16.2M. Signing Brown to a long-term contract is next. At least that move saved the Chief’s monies. Andrew Wylie was re-signed to a 1-year contract Ostensibly the Swing Tackle and to cover for Lucas Niang if he is not ready to roll in camp. The Chiefs must be confident of Lucas Niang but wait and see if another OT is added. Prince Tega Wanogho(Auburn) coming to his 2nd year at OT, could be construed to be a Tier 3 OT who might make the roster. His NFL Rating(6.27) was depth at first but could become an average NFL starter. Wanogho was drafted in the 6th round by the Eagles. We have to wait and see where he is in camp and pre-season.

Frank Clark re-upped and took a pay cut as negotiated by Brett Veach. Instead of 26.5M, he will play for two seasons($29.5m), with 2022’s cap hit of $13.6M. This is a considerable chunk of change saved. I was indeed opposed to doing this type of deal, especially due to the lack of performance in 2021 and 2022. On the other hand, looking at the far-flung fast-moving market and the monies we have seen flourishing from our languid state of clock watching, At least One Defensive End position is covered–well, a starter has been identified anyway. I have certainly been adamant about bringing Melvin Ingram back on a two-year contract and drafting a player with “juice” to work as an understudy. Because of the need, I wrote about double-dipping in the draft for this position, one player to be Boye Mafe(Minnesota) who has a lot of similar traits to Ingram. If Terez Paylor was here, I think he would fit his “All Juice Team”.

Mafe has the “Juice” and is one of my player crushe for 2022. The other play could be a more front-end draft pick at the same time, taken in Round One or Two, such as Cam Thomas(SDSU) or another player.

Who is Depth or a Developing Talent at DE?

What we don’t yet know, is how the Chiefs assess the skills of the players in-house, such as Josh Kaindoh.

Beyond that? Mike Danna, or, Malik Herring. As far as the latter two? I see them both as role players. I think Mike Danna is the biggest reach among these three at this point. I am anxious to see Kaindoh’s progress. Danna and Herring are depth players. Josh got some reps in games at DE and I was hopeful. Then he was out after the opportunity in 2021. After Josh Kaindoh and Mike Danna, we list Malik Herring who is intriguing depth player. His draft profile was 5.68, so back-end of a roster type appraisal. The Chiefs may have hope for his development but his first year as a UDFA was on the IR. I recall having him on my appraisal list in 2021 but did not add him to my draft list. Similarly, I feel the next three are camp bodies at this point: Austin Edwards, Joe Jackson, and Jonathan Woodard.

At the same time, Frank Clark’s efforts have been lackluster for two years in a row. Only when Melvin Ingram who is still a free agent, joined the players on the grass did we see a spark from the Defensive End Role.

The Chiefs are Light in the Breeches at DT

The Chiefs have Chris Jones who is a “Foundation Player”.

As far as his opposite, there is no player signed or identified. Both DT Tershawn Wharton and DT Khalin Saunders are depth players. Lorenzo Neal(Purdue) and Darius Stills(WV) were UDFA’s added to the Roster. Both Jarran Reid and Derek Nnadi are on the unsigned Chiefs’s free agent list.

Panic Attack Time? The Wicked Witch of the West’s Hour Glass?

By this time, you are probably having a panic attack! With Melvin Ingram, Derek Nnadi, Jarran Reed unsigned Chiefs Free Agents, you can see why Brett Veach focused in Pressers are fixing the DL exposures. At the same time, Neither Nnadi or Reed are pass rush type DTs. Chris Jones is it from the Interior. What we have here is a significant hole to fill with a player who can rush the passer from the interior and who is also solid against the run. That is the type of player the Chiefs need in 2022.

The Chiefs resigned some of their own free agents but they are Role Players. Far more work needs to be done. Day to Day, the clock ticks. Nothing happens. Cobwebs grow from the inert bodies of fans. Chiefs pundits and observers have thrown open the door and fled, shreaking.

The View of Chiefs Free Agents

QB#2 Chad Henne – Re-Signed.

S Tyrann Mathieu–His position filled by adding Free Agent S Justin Reid(Houston).

S Armani Watts and S Daniel Sorensen. No signing and no replacements identified.

DE Melvin Ingram–signing or replacement yet to be identified

WR Demarcus Robinson & WR Byron Pringle–I expect existing players will replace these two WRs but who that will be remains unidentified.

LB Dorian O’Daniel and LB Ben Niemann--Not signed and no replacements identified

CB Mike Hughes, CB Chris Lammons–No replacements identified. Lammons was an ERFA but has legal problems & won’t return to the Chiefs.

TE Blake Bell— TE Jody Fortson replaces him. Gotta love Fortson. Brett Veach was intrigued by him in 2021 and it was so unfortunate that he sustained a season-ending injury.

We will have three players set with Travis Kelce, our Foundation Player leading the crew.

Noah Gray is TE #2 or #3. There are 5 other TE’s on the roster. Rookies Mark Vital(Baylor), Josh Pederson(La-Monroe), son of former Chiefs coach, Dave Pederson, as well as Veterans Nakia Griffin-Steward(Pittsburgh), Jordan Franks(UCF), Matt Bushman.

DT Jarran Reed, DT Derek Nnadi–No one signed and replacements unidentified. Neither player is a pass rush DT. We have DT Chris Jones, a foundation player. After that, as far as I am concerned, nada.

Right about now, we are all feeling as if we are Vladimir and Estagon, “Waiting for Godot” or Drumming our fingers on the table like Spanky! Brett Veach is tasked with fixing the DL problem. I do trust Brett to accomplish the task and resolve the secondary problem at the same time while adding a #2 WR. Ya! I expect miracles. Meanwhile? Spanky’s look pretty much tells the story.

David Bell – ArrowheadOne