Friday, March 2, 2012

The Chiefs Big Man Problem

The 2012 NFL free agency period will provide the Kansas City Chiefs with a unique opportunity to improve their football team.  The one position group that is certain to see an addition is the defensive line.  Kelly Gregg, Amon Gordon, and Wallace Gilberry are all free agents, leaving only Glen Dorsey, Tyson Jackson, Allen Bailey, and Brandon Bair at defensive end and nose tackles Jerrell Powe and Anthony Toribio under contract for 2012.  If the names listed at nose tackle don't ring any bells, there is a good reason for that; neither played a significant snap in 2011. 
Powe was a 6th round draft pick in 2011 out of Ole Miss and Toribio was signed after being released by the Green Bay Packers before the 2010 season.  Neither of these players can be counted on to contribute in 2012 if the Chiefs plan to contend in the AFC West. 
So, if the answer isn't in-house, I want to take a look at who might/will be available on the free agent market to fill the void. 

Nose Tackles:

  1. Paul Soliai, DT Miam Dolphins:  Listed at 6'4 355 and only 28 years old; he has the prototypical size to anchor the middle of a 3-4 defense.  Miami's new coaching staff  is switching to a 4-3 scheme and seem uninterested in paying the high price of retaining a 0 technique still in his prime (they used the franchise tag on him last season). He should be the number 1 target of Chiefs fans wanting to improve the defensive line.  If KC doesn't sign him, San Diego could be his ultimate destination.
  2. Sione Pouha, NT NY Jets:  Pouha, 6'3 325lbs, will be entering his age 33 season and has been an effective run-stopper in the Jets 3-4 defense.  The Jets are only $8 million under the cap and have a number of other needs along the offensive line and at linebacker that might allow the Chiefs to price them out of the market.
  3. Shaun Cody, DE/NT Houston Texans:  Listed at 6'4 301, Cody could be undersized in Crennel's defensive scheme but he excelled at the nose tackle position under Wade Phillips in Houston.  Could provide the flexibility of playing both NT and DE
  4. Aubreyo Franklin NT New Orleans:  6'1 320, basically nonexistent in New Orleans last season after failing to find the large free agent contract.  Zero pass rush potential. 

3-4 Defensive End

  1. Cory Redding, 6'4 300.  Entering his age 32 season, Redding is an enormous man with some pass rushing skills at the defensive end spot.  Would be considered a marked improvement over Tyson Jackson at end.
  2. Luis Castillo, 6'3 290, 28 years old.  Numerous news outlets are reporting that Castillo may be released by the Chargers in an attempt to clear up salary cap space.  He broke a bone in his leg during the 2011 season opener and was put on injured reserve at the beginning of December.  Has only played all 16 games in 2 of 7 seasons but has produced a 7 sack season from the defensive end position.

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