Ghosts of Seasons Past, Present and Future: Have You Heard Of These Guys?

Ghosts of Seasons Past, Present and Future:

Have You Heard Of These Guys?

I was looking through some stats this week and running through the PFF grades preparing to write this article on the defense.  However, as I was doing that I saw something that sparked another idea.  

I came across a number of names that used to wear the Red & Gold.  Some drafted, some free agents, some trades.  I thought it might be fun to take a look at how they are doing so far this season in a “Where are the now?” kind of view.

I am sure I didn’t hit them all, but looked for a number of the bigger names, the controversial players, and some of the hot position groups.  So, here it is.

The Cornerbacks

Name / Ranking / Overall / Coverage / Run Defense

Tyvon Branch, #10 CB, 82.5/81.8/76.3

Marcus Cooper, #12 CB, 81.9/81.8/52.2

Brandon Flowers, #40 CB, 74.8/72.9/57.3

Sean Smith, #47 CB, 72.7/73.4/40.

This group is kind of interesting.  Branch and Cooper both seemed to really struggle in the defensive backfield and were released/traded after giving them a shot to stand out.  Now they are performing in the top tier after 3 games.  Was it a case of we didn’t use them right, they don’t fit our scheme, or will the bubble burst shortly?  

Then we get Flowers and Smith.  We let them walk due to price and scheme fit.  That may not have been a bad move on a value comparison, however, when we were short of talent in that group, this might have been a mistake.  I think we are better off without those two, given the cost.

Offensive Line

Name / Ranking / Overall / Pass Block / Run Block (We have

Rodney Hudson, #13 C, 78.3/73.8/72.5

Jeff Allen, #45 G, 65.4/83.0/39.0

Donald Stephenson, #31 T, 75.2/73.9/75.2

Branden Albert, #37 T, 72.7/72.4/73.0

This group was also interesting.  Most of them seem to be performing fairly average, with the exception of Jeff Allen.  He is below average.  Considering our players are largely in the same range, I think we ended up with the better deal here.  We aren’t over-paying for the talent and still get more upside.  These guys have peaked, so no real losses in this group.

Tight Ends

Name / Ranking / Overall / Receiving / Run Block / Pass Block

Sean McGrath, #35 TE, 58.5/64.9/48.5/68.4

Anthony Fasano, #43 TE, 50.8/52.8/53.9/69.0

We are obviously set at this position right now.  Travis Kelce is a clear number one and performing at an above average level.  However, here are a couple of Kansas City alums that aren’t performing up to standard.  Another good decision to move on from these guys.

Wide Receiver

Name / Ranking / Overall / Receiving / Run / Run Block

Rod Streater, Unranked (only 28 snaps), 63.7/62.6/60.0/66.5

Trade in and trade out.  As weak at this position as we seem to be, Streater apparently isn’t much of a loss.  He has played 28 snaps this year and isn’t wowing anyone with the results.  Even as little as we got for him, I think we still got a deal.

Running Back

Name / Ranking / Overall / Run / Receiving / Pass Block

Dexter McCluster, Unranked (only 9 snaps), 63.0/60.0/72.4/60.0

While I enjoyed watching Run DMC play from time to time, he wasn’t meant for the NFL and his novelty wore off.  At this point, he has played 9 snaps on the year and they weren’t even that much of a value add.  I sure am glad we didn’t give him a big contract and end up with a bunch of dead money.

Quarterbacks

Name / Ranking / Overall / Pass / Run

Matt Cassel, Unranked (0 snaps), NA/NA/NA

Chase Daniel, Unranked (0 snaps), NA/NA/NA

Alex Tanney, Unranked (0 snaps), NA/NA/NA

Aaron Murray, Unranked (0 snaps), NA/NA/NA

Kevin Hogan, Unranked (0 snaps), NA/NA/NA

This was my favorite group.  I am pretty sure it will be at the top of the readers’ list also.  This is one of the most discussed positions.  Who to draft?  Who to trade?  Who to start?  Who to be the #2 vs. #3?  Always analyzing the QBs.  Here is a list of 5 former KC Chiefs QBs, one true starter and the rest backups or worse.  At this point, they have a grand total of 0 snaps after 3 games.  Looks like we didn’t lose any real start power in this group.  And, of this group, only Chase Daniel showed any value as a backup QB.  Daniel was too costly to keep on the roster to hold a clipboard.  

All in all, most of these decisions to let the players walk (either through cuts or not offering a contract they would take), have turned out to be a good decision.  

Of the whole list, the only guys that seem to look like we might have moved too soon are Tyvon Branch and Marcus Cooper.  Both are in a position of need, could have been signed for a friendly deal, and are performing with their current team.    Even then, it is a 3 game sample and doesn’t mean they could play in the Chiefs defensive scheme.

What do you guys think?  Did we make some mistakes here?  Do you agree that we did the right thing?  Let me know what you think.

P.S.

One last fun fact.  There is an article on PFF called “Ryan Fitzpatrick earned the lowest game grade ever by a QB in loss to Chiefs”.  His score was a 21.4 and was the worst out of 2,717 games graded.  

Below is a table from Pro Football Focus that shows how bad he was and his competition for this prestigious award.  

P.S.S.

Also, note that 3 of this Bottom 10 are QBs versus the Kansas City Chiefs!  We account for 30% of the most embarrassing QB performances of a decade (although we did this in the last year).  Well done D, keep it up.

And, there’s The Rub.