SectionsChiefs, Rams looking for help all around in NFL Draft
Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: Sports
Scott Pioli, the mastermind vice president of player personnel that led the New England Patriots to three Super Bowls, has already made his mark on the Chiefs organization.
The signing of Todd Haley brings in a coach who has the experience and the talent to lead a team in the right direction. He was the mind behind the high-powered Cardinals offense that helped the team make its first Super Bowl appearance.
Matt Cassel brings the possibility for something that the Chiefs have lacked in recent years: a franchise quarterback. If last year was any indication for how good Cassel really is, then Chiefs fans could be in for a good show.
Cassel threw for 3,693 yards last year with 21 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions. With the addition of veteran wide receiver Bobby Engram, the Chiefs are attempting to finalize targets for Cassel.
The Chiefs have made some major moves on defense this offseason. The additions of veteran linebackers Zach Thomas and Mike Vrabel will provide skill and leadership to a young defense.
If the draft experts are correct, Wake Forest product Aaron Curry will also be providing his services to the Chiefs' defense. Curry is widely regarded as the best overall player in the draft this year. He won the Butkus award for the best linebacker in the nation last year, recording 101 tackles.
The Chiefs could also target an offensive lineman with the No. 3 pick or find a team to trade down with - something New England was known for during Pioli's tenure.
Rams shaking things up
The Rams, like the Chiefs, are looking for major improvements in 2009. The signing of new coach Steve Spagnola was a good first move, but the Rams have been quiet since.
Spagnola comes to St. Louis from the New York Giants, where he was the defensive coordinator. He helped lead the team to a Super Bowl victory last year.
The Rams named Pat Shurmur offensive coordinator and Ken Flajole defensive coordinator.
Two notable departures from the team include wide receiver Torry Holt and offensive tackle Orlando Pace. Both players went to multiple Pro Bowls and had been with the team for a long time.
Holt has played in St. Louis for all 11 years of his career and has only missed two games in that span. He has also made seven Pro Bowls. Holt recently signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Pace has spent his entire 13-year career with the Rams and has made seven Pro Bowls. Pace is now a member of the Chicago Bears.
In the draft, most experts are predicting that the Rams will take an offensive lineman.
Jason Smith, a 6'5", 305-pound offensive tackle from Baylor, is a likely candidate. So is Eugene Monroe, a 6'6", 315-pound tackle from Virginia.
The signing of Todd Haley brings in a coach who has the experience and the talent to lead a team in the right direction. He was the mind behind the high-powered Cardinals offense that helped the team make its first Super Bowl appearance.
Matt Cassel brings the possibility for something that the Chiefs have lacked in recent years: a franchise quarterback. If last year was any indication for how good Cassel really is, then Chiefs fans could be in for a good show.
Cassel threw for 3,693 yards last year with 21 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions. With the addition of veteran wide receiver Bobby Engram, the Chiefs are attempting to finalize targets for Cassel.
The Chiefs have made some major moves on defense this offseason. The additions of veteran linebackers Zach Thomas and Mike Vrabel will provide skill and leadership to a young defense.
If the draft experts are correct, Wake Forest product Aaron Curry will also be providing his services to the Chiefs' defense. Curry is widely regarded as the best overall player in the draft this year. He won the Butkus award for the best linebacker in the nation last year, recording 101 tackles.
The Chiefs could also target an offensive lineman with the No. 3 pick or find a team to trade down with - something New England was known for during Pioli's tenure.
Rams shaking things up
The Rams, like the Chiefs, are looking for major improvements in 2009. The signing of new coach Steve Spagnola was a good first move, but the Rams have been quiet since.
Spagnola comes to St. Louis from the New York Giants, where he was the defensive coordinator. He helped lead the team to a Super Bowl victory last year.
The Rams named Pat Shurmur offensive coordinator and Ken Flajole defensive coordinator.
Two notable departures from the team include wide receiver Torry Holt and offensive tackle Orlando Pace. Both players went to multiple Pro Bowls and had been with the team for a long time.
Holt has played in St. Louis for all 11 years of his career and has only missed two games in that span. He has also made seven Pro Bowls. Holt recently signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Pace has spent his entire 13-year career with the Rams and has made seven Pro Bowls. Pace is now a member of the Chicago Bears.
In the draft, most experts are predicting that the Rams will take an offensive lineman.
Jason Smith, a 6'5", 305-pound offensive tackle from Baylor, is a likely candidate. So is Eugene Monroe, a 6'6", 315-pound tackle from Virginia.
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