Golden Receivers

After drawing a schedule that includes matchups against many top-tier receivers—Chad Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, Hines Ward, Chris Chambers, Torry Holt, Darrell Jackson, Randy Moss and now Javon Walker—the Kansas City Chiefs cornerback situation is looking bleaker and bleaker as we approach this NFL season.

The San Diego Chargers, one of the Chiefs’ AFC West rivals, knew that facing so many talented receivers would be a daunting task. That’s why the Chargers selected CB Antonio Cromartie in the first round of last weekend’s NFL Draft.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs waited until Round Five to select a corner—Marcus Maxey of Miami. Ever heard of him? Neither had I.

As a result of passing on a cornerback in the opening rounds of the draft, the Chiefs have former Pro Bowler Patrick Surtain on one side, and, and, and… well, the other side is a bit more of a mystery. Potential replacements for the departed Eric Warfield (who seemed to ring up as many DUI’s as he did INT’s as a Chief) include recently re-signed nickel back Benny Sapp, free-agent addition Lenny Walls (who at 6’4” is the tallest corner in the NFL), and unproven commodities Julian Battle, Alphonso Hodge and Maxey.

That’s not going to get the job done this year. Especially considering that the Chiefs face both the Denver Broncos’ Walker and the Oakland Raiders’ Moss twice. If the Chiefs don’t sign a talented cornerback before the season starts, Kansas City fans can count on seeing a lot of highlights this season. Highlights of Walker and Moss. Highlights of Johnson endzone celebrations, Ward smiling, and Fitzgerald and Boldin high-fiving.

Bring in the Law

That is where free agent CB Ty Law comes in. The guy makes trips to the Pro Bowl look as routine as Kansas City sports columnist Jason Whitlock going to Gates BBQ (a K.C. staple). More importantly, Law has three championship rings and a good relationship with the Chiefs new Head Coach Herman Edwards. Basically, he already has the respect of both the players and the coaching staff. Most importantly, he has a clean bill of health and will be more than ready to play when the season starts. Law was still hobbled when the Chiefs were pursuing him during this point of last year’s off-season.

Singing Law to play alongside Surtain would give the Chiefs arguably the best cornerback tandem in the league. After drafting ferocious Penn State DE Tamba Hali last weekend, the addition of Law would finally give the Chiefs a defense to match its potent offense.

And don’t believe Chiefs President Carl Peterson when he acts like the Chiefs don’t have any money. I read today that not only are they not over the cap, but that they will have about $9 million in wiggle room to spend if the team chooses to. The spendthrift Chiefs need to ante up that coin and save the season by signing Law. After Kansas City residents approved to give millions of dollars to a project that will renovate the Chiefs' Arrowhead Stadium, the least the Chiefs can do in return is not be the "Cheaps."

It’s simple; if the Chiefs sign Law before the season they can compete in the AFC West and make a push for a Super Bowl birth. If the Chiefs decide to pass on Law, then it will be another disappointing season. There is no way that the Chiefs can win 10-plus games facing these receivers with only Surtain and also-rans to defend them. The Chiefs may have a new sheriff (Edwards) in town, but they still need the Law.