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The Chiefs have signed 33-year old G/C Mike Goff away from the division rival San Diego Chargers. Goff played in 16 games (all starts) for the Chargers last season. In his 11-year career the 6′5″, 311 pound Goff has played in 163 games (147 starts). He should either start at center or guard for the Chiefs in 2009 and this was a good signing for them.
The outgoing brain trust of the Chiefs left the new bunch with a lot of good players that they drafted last season. It all started in the 1st round when the Chiefs drafted one player for each side of the line of scrimmage (DT Glenn Dorsey and OT Braden Albert). Dorsey played in 16 games (all starts) for the Chiefs last season and he made 46 tackles, had 1 sack, forced a fumble and he defensed a pass. Look for him to improve in 2009 for the Chiefs and be the impact player they thought he would be. Branden Albert also moved right into the starting lineup for the Chiefs where he will stay a long, long time. He played in 15 games (all starts) for the Chiefs last season and he even made a tackle. The Chiefs also found a pair of starting cornerbacks last April in Brandon Flowers (2nd round) and Brandon Carr (5th round). Flowers played in 14 games (13 starts) for the Chiefs last season and he made 69 tackles, forced 1 fumble, defensed 13 passes and he had 2 interceptions (one that he returned for a TD). The sky is the limit for him in the future as he was projected by many draft experts to be selected in the 1st round last April. Brandon Carr started all 16 games last season for the Chiefs and he made 73 tackles, defensed 6 passes and picked off two passes. In the 3rd round the Chiefs probably found Larry Johnson’s eventual replacement. Charles played in all 16 games (2 starts) for the Chiefs last season and he carried the ball 67 times for 357 yards (5.3 ypc). He also caught 27 passes for 272 yards (10.1 avg) with 1 TD grab. Charles also helped out a little bit on special teams making 3 tackles and he returned 15 kickoffs for 321 yards (21.4 avg) last season. The Chiefs drafted two TEs last season in 3rd rounder Brad Cottam and 7th rounder Michael Merritt. Cottam played in all 16 games (7 starts) for the Chiefs last season and he caught 7 passes for 63 yards (9.0 avg). He is a good run blocker but if the Chiefs ever think he will develop into the eventual replacement for Tony Gonzalez they are sadly mistaken. Michael Merritt didn’t get into any games last season for the Chiefs. The Chiefs like their other 3rd round pick (DaJuan Morgan) who played in 15 games (0 starts) last season and he made 23 tackles. They think he could be a starter down the road as long as he shows steady improvement. The Chiefs also drafted two WRs last season in Will Franklin (4th round) and Kevin Robinson (6th round). Franklin played in 13 games (1 start) for the Chiefs last season and he caught 7 passes for 83 yards (11.9 avg). He also returned 1 kickoff for 16 yards and he made 3 tackles. Kevin Robinson didn’t catch any passes for the Chiefs despite playing in 8 games (0 starts) for them. But, he did show some promise on special teams returning 19 kickoffs for 420 yards (22.1 avg) and 11 punts for 94 yards (8.5 avg). 6th rounder (OT) Barry Richardson played in 6 games (0 starts) for the Chiefs and he projects as a backup for them in the future. DE Brian Johnston was selected in the 7th round by the Chiefs last season and he played in 9 games (0 starts) and made 3 tackles.
GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON: B
GRADE FOR THE FUTURE: A
The Chiefs have signed 36-year old Bobby Engram and 27-year old Terrance Copper to 1-year deals. Engram played in 13 games for the Seahawks last season and he caught 47 passes for 489 yards (10.4 avg). He has now played in 171 games in his NFL career and he has caught 645 passes for 7,690 yards (11.9 avg) with 35 TD grabs. Engram will likely be the starting receiver opposite of Dwyane Bowe and this should help out the offense big time in 2009.
Terrance Copper played in 2 games for the Ravens last season and he didn’t catch any passes. Copper has now played in 58 games in his NFL career and he has caught 46 passes for 600 yards (13.0 avg) with 6 TD grabs. Copper adds a dimension of speed to the WR corps of the Chiefs. These were both good signings for the Chiefs who appear on the right track for 2009.
The Chiefs have signed 30-year old linebacker Monty Beisel to a 1-year contract. He played in all 16 games for the Cardinals last season and he made 20 tackles. Beisel has now played in 110 games in his NFL career and he has made 234 tackles, defensed 3 passes, has 4.5 sacks, forced 3 fumbles and he has 2 interceptions. This was a good depth signing for the Chiefs and Beisel could also help out on special teams in 2009.
The Chiefs have signed 25-year old linebacker Corey Mays. Mays played in 12 games for the Bengals last season and he made 16 tackles and forced a fumble. He has now played in 32 games in his NFL career and he has made 41 tackles, defense 1 pass and forced a fumble. This will help out depth at linebacker and Mays is also a solid special teams player so he should help the Chiefs some in 2009.
