I have heard all the fire Karl and Herm talk I can handle. Lately, it seems us Chief fans have gone soft. We’ve been blinded by all the gilts and glamour of recent NFL teams success, saying to ourselves: “When is it our turn?”

Since my birth in 1979, I have never experienced a super bowl season or even the team playing in that game. For years I cherished the hard nose defense and brusing offense in previous years. To think that players like Marcus Allen, Derrick Thomas, Nick Lowery, Christian Okoye, Derion Cherry, Warren Moon, and even Joe Montana grace Arrowhead stadium. All had great highlights and breathe taking moments, but never anything to have a parade about.

Now, as we embark on another rebuilding season, I see the point and purpose of it all. The Kansas City Chiefs have never been an organization that demands quality. They offer excuse after excuse for why this season will not be the one. We have been written off as a quality team ever since D. Vermeil left. That’s why we have a draft. It’s the opportunity for the fans, teams, and entire organization to hope in the future. It’s the chance for use to imagine super bowl parades in February. This years draft is no exception.

With this year being officially labeled as the rebuilding period, the draft is stocked with need talents for the Chiefs. I will do my best to play General Manager for a day and provide the Chiefs with the best chance to success immediately and on a long term bases. Besides, who can be satisfied with a parade for just one year?

2008 NFL Draft

WHO:  With the fifth overall pick in the 2008 draft the Kansas City Chiefs selected Darren McFadden from the University of Arkansas.

WHY:  Trade Larry Johnson and select Darren McFadden with the 5th overall pick in the draft. Trading LJ now is the best for both parties. With a new offensive line (another need in this years draft), LJ running will continue to struggle. LJ requires wide enough holes for him to square his shoulders and punish the second level backs. His best days are behind him as he holds the most recorded carries in the NFL. How much longer can we expect him to produce with a developing line? McFadden has more speed and versatility than LJ, while blocking and recieving better. The one two punch of Kolb Smith and Darren McFadden will strike fear into the rest of the AFC West division for years to come. With the entrie division retooling and developing, why not pull the trigger now?

My suggested trade party should be the Cowboys for their second first round pick, their 2nd rounds pick in this year’s draft, and next years first round pick in the draft. They coveted him last year but King Carl could provide no solution. We will remove his bloated salary off the books and allow us to sign Allen next year instead of slapping the franchise tag on him again. We can use the Cowboys additional picks to select quality Offensive linemen and add quality defensive back picks in the later rounds.

This years draft should be focused on improving the offense. There is an obvious need for lineman and wide receivers that will provide quality minutes in the future. There should be no rush to select a receiver this year because of the talent expected next year. After addressing their needs on offense, the Chiefs should select speed and toughness to fill holes in the defense secondary. With Herm at the helm, despite his past years with the Chiefs or any other team, we can be confident he has a plan. What that plan is remains to be seen, but at least we know they have one. Say goodbye to the vets and hello to new faces. Kansas City has relied on Band-Aid fixes to problems for too long. Addressing needs in the draft will provide long term benefits.  

Chief fans are ready for the parade through the streets of downtown to celebrate our team’s success. The after party is at the Royals stadium catered by Gates barbeque! We are ready to take to the streets and scream out in joy and happiness in our Super Bowl champions. Even though it’s hard to believe, you still must. The true joy will only come through the agony of many defeats. And over the years, we have faced enough.