Kansas City Chiefs Draft: First Three Rounds

The first three rounds of the 2010 NFL Draft are now complete. Now it's time to take a closer look at the five newest members of the Kansas City Chiefs. GM Scott Pioli has stated he is looking for smart players with good character. If the first five selections are any indication, Pioli seems to be selecting the best player that fits the profile regardless of positional need. So now a closer look.

First Round
5. Eric Berry, Safety / University of Tennessee

Personally I like this selection. Berry will start immediately and be a disruptive force in the secondary. He's a big hitter with exceptional coverage and blitz skills. Berry is also exceptional academically, which lends to the idea of drafting smart character players. Compared by most to Ed Reed of the Baltimore Ravens. I'll be more than happy if he turns into that type of player.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/09000d5d817801dc/2010-Draft-Vignettes-Eric-Berry-Tennessee

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/09000d5d817b5577/Chiefs-take-Eric-Berry


Second Round
36. Dexter McCluster, Running Back / Ole Miss

This one had me scratching my head at first. It seemed like a luxury pick for a team with bigger holes elsewhere. Taking a closer look though the pick makes a lot more sense. McCluster is small by NFL standards (5'8", 172lbs.), but is a dynamic playmaker. He has outstanding quickness and skills to be a runner or receiver. The Chiefs have already said he will be a Wide Receiver for them, giving Head Coach Todd Haley the "Wes Welker" type player he wants for his offense.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/09000d5d8177fc9a/2010-Draft-Vignettes-Dexter-McCluster-Mississippi

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/09000d5d817be04a/Chiefs-take-Dexter


50. Javier Arenas, Cornerback / University of Alabama

This one made more sense to me. The place where Arenas will make the biggest impact for the Chiefs is the return game. He is the best kickoff / punt return prospect in the draft. This shores up a gaping hole in Chiefs Special Teams play. Arenas' size (5'9", 197lbs.) will likely limit him to being a nickelback at the NFL level. But he is a hard worker (Voted captain of Alabama's "All Practice Team") with good athleticism and instincts. Plus, the guy just makes plays.

http://www.kcchiefs.com/media-center/videos/Meet-Javier-Arenas/160a2815-0c89-4f95-8e9b-7846212bb123


Third Round
68. Jon Asamoah, Guard / University of Illinois

The streak of dynamic playmakers ends here. Instead the Chiefs just took a big, nasty interior offensive lineman. He can play either left or right guard giving the Chiefs needed depth on the O-Line. And he's yet another academic star with a 3.8 GPA fitting with the Pioli profile.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/09000d5d81780ab5/2010-Draft-Vignettes-Jon-Asamoah-Illinois

93. Tony Moeaki, Tight End / Iowa University

Moeaki is one of the better blocking Tight Ends available. He's also a savvy and sure handed target for Matt Cassel. The Chiefs benefit here as Moeaki graded out as a second round talent by many. Injury concerns caused him to slip on draft day. If he can remain healthy, this is a more than solid acquisition.

http://www.kcchiefs.com/media-center/videos/Meet-Tony-Moeaki/799e38c2-8458-40ec-a98c-571cc7ed5bf7

In Memorium: Peter Steele 1962-2010

February 5th, 1995 is a night I won't ever forget. I was 16 years old and on my way to Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas to see one of the greatest metal bands in history, Pantera. I had seen them twice before and knew they were going to tear it up. What I didn't know was very much about their opening act that night, Type O Negative. I had seen the videos for Black No.1 and Christian Woman on Headbanger's Ball but didn't really know what to expect. What I got was one of the most amazing live performances I have seen in my life.

The first thing that was noticeable was this gigantic man taking center stage. He looked all of 6'10" and jacked to the gills. It was a look more suited for a professional wrestler than the frontman of a Goth Metal band. Next was the actual sound of Type O Negative. I've always described it as Pink Floyd meets Black Sabbath meets Bela Lugosi. It really almost defies description. Peter Steele's vocals were unlike anything I'd heard before or since. But it was mesmerizing and unique. I became a fan instantly.

It wasn't long after this show that I went out and purchased copies of Bloody Kisses and Slow, Deep and Hard. If you could wear out a CD, I would have done it. With each new release my love for the band grew. For me it was almost like knowing some undiscovered secret. Getting to tell people about this great band they hadn't heard of was always fun for me. And when I met someone who already knew, it was was like we shared the secret together.

My only regret is never getting to see them live again. Sure they came around where I lived many times in the years since, but something always came up that wouldn't let me go. Now sadly, it appears that night will be my only experience with Type O Negative live and in person. The loss of Peter Steele really hits me. A brilliant songwriter, musician and performer is now gone. The back of Bloody Kisses says "Don't mistake lack of talent for genius." Well I made that mistake. Peter Steele was a genius, and the world is a little worse off today without him.

Opening Day

Opening day has finally arrived. Now while this is usually a time filled with hope and optimism, I'm finding it difficult to get excited about the upcoming season. You see, I am a Kansas City Royals fan.

Thing is, most years I can dilute myself into thinking there is legitimate hope. That somehow this year will be different. Sure, if Luke Hochevar and Kyle Davies can somehow win 25 games between them. If Jose Guillen can hit 35 homers. If the relief pitching doesn't implode maybe there is a chance. But not this year.

I'm sorry, but I just can't paint a rosy picture for the upcoming season. I don't see why this is going to be the team that takes a giant leap forward. The biggest offseason signings just don't do anything for me. Scott Podsednik has been replaced for defensive reasons by multiple teams. Jason Kendall has been declining in offensive production for years. And Rick Ankiel has been brought in to add power. It just seems like impending disaster to me.

I know some prognosticators think the AL Central can be won with 85 or so wins. I'm not buying it. Someone is going to win this division with 90+ wins. My fear is it will take only 85 or so wins to take the AL Central and the Royals will finish 8 or 10 games back. Then Royals brass will think they're close. That's my biggest fear. This team won't win until it develops its own players. And even that is looking shakier.

I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't see it. Royals 2010 record: 75-87