A Look At Chiefs Free Agents … Wednesday Cup O’Chiefs

More than likely weeks ago the powers in charge with the Chiefs made their decisions on the free agents-to-be in their locker room, whether to re-sign or allow them to depart.

A full-season provided plenty of evidence for everyone in the building to evaluate which players can continue to contribute. That 4-12 record tells us that many of those players weren’t good enough and more talented replacements must be found.

But as we covered on Tuesday, the pool of unrestricted free agents is very shallow this year as fourth and fifth-year players have been shoved back to the restricted free agent list. For the most part RFAs require draft choice compensation to sign, so that will drastically cut transactions.

Some teams in the league have many free agents, like Baltimore with 27 unrestricted-restricted players. Others have only a handful, like Miami with seven and Jacksonville with eight free agents.

The Chiefs have 18 players on the list of free agents released by the NFL Players Association on the first of February. There could be additions by the start of free agency on March 5.

Here’s one man’s opinion on those 18 players and whether the Chiefs should let them move on, retain them, retain them only at the team’s price or wait and see how the free agent market rolls. The UFAs are listed with age in ‘10, seasons of experience in ‘10 and ‘09 base salary.)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

SS Mike Brown (above) (32 years old, 11th season, $900,000) – As a stop gap, Brown was OK last year with the Chiefs at safety. He finished with 99 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions. Brown also had five tackles on special teams. But he’s not a long-term solution at the position and if he comes back to play in ‘10 for the Chiefs it’s just another season where the team isn’t preparing a younger player to hold the job. There should be better alternatives available, but with Brown the Chiefs should WAIT AND SEE.

WR Chris Chambers (right) (32 in August, 10th season, $4,550,000/ Chiefs paid approximately half) – Claiming him at mid-season was a big move for the Chiefs and he helped provide a solid target for Cassel in the passing game over the last half of the season. Chambers caught 36 passes for 608 yards and four touchdowns. At this point in his career, he’s a No. 2 or 3 receiver and if the Chiefs can sign him to that type of contract, then they should get that done as soon as possible. If he’s looking for contract numbers that equate with a No. 1 receiver, then they should pass. ONLY IF HE FITS.

WR Terrance Copper (28 in March, 7th season, $620,000) – Offensively, Copper never really got a chance to show anything; that’s what made his 50-yard catch and run against Denver in the last game so surprising. If that’s what he was capable of doing, then why wasn’t he used more often in offensive packages? Copper was one of the team’s best special teams players, coming up with 16 tackles in coverage. How much attention he’ll attract from other teams is questionable. The Chiefs should attempt to re-sign him, but ONLY IF HE FITS.

TE Sean Ryan (30 in March, 6th season, $620,000) – When the ‘09 season opened, Ryan was the starter at tight end. By mid-season, he was generally inactive on game day as he was supplanted by Leonard Pope. On the season, Ryan had 14 catches for 135 yards and two touchdowns. LET HIM GO.

OL Wade Smith (29 in April, 8th season, $620,000) – Smith got extensive playing time because of the injury to RG Mike Goff that took him out for the second half of the season; Smith ended up starting nine games. A versatile guy who can play all along the line, Smith is a solid player that should be re-signed ONLY IF HE FITS.

OLB Mike Vrabel (35 in August, 14th season, $2,200,000) – This is a sticky decision for both parties. Vrabel was a solid player for the Chiefs defense last year, but there’s no question he’s near the end of his career. Would he be willing to play another year as anything but a starter? The Chiefs need to get Andy Studebaker on the field because of his physical ability. They need Vrabel’s leadership and smarts. Would Vrabel take less money and no starting job to get another year, to serve as a mentor for Studebaker? ONLY IF HE FITS.

WR Bobby Wade (29 next week, 9th season, $620,000) – Wade joined the Chiefs after game No. 1 and provided a jolt to the passing offense for several games. Then, he started disappearing. When the Chiefs had to make a decision on game-day inactive players, Wade was frequently left off the roster. He was one of the NFL leaders in dropped passes and he was not productive as a punt returner. LET HIM GO.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

This just used to be the province of third-year players. With the passing of the salary cap, this group now includes players in their third, fourth and fifth seasons.

The Chiefs have until the beginning of free agency to make tender offers to their RFAs if they want to get compensation in return should another team sign them. The numbers vary for third, fourth and fifth-year players. Here’s how it breaks down with compensation:

Obviously, the RFAs that the Chiefs want to keep will get tender offers on the high end, which should chase away most suitors. But that also commits the Chiefs to paying the player that offer if he signs the tender.

Here are the restricted free agents, with their age in the ‘10 season, their experience level counting the ‘10 season and their 2009 base salary.)

OL Andy Alleman (27 in November, 4th season, $460,000) – Alleman has been a tease for a number of teams during his short career: New Orleans, Miami and the Chiefs. Everyone likes what they see, but he never produces at a level to stay on the field to breakthrough and hold a starting spot. RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL TENDER/$1.101 million.

RB Jackie Battle (27 in October, 3rd season, $460,000) – He has looked good in two consecutive training camps, making the early season roster but then fading and ultimately getting injured. That doesn’t project too much interest from the Chiefs or other teams. NO TENDER OFFER.

QB Brodie Croyle (27, 5th season, $535,000) – The Chiefs would like to keep Croyle, but it will cost them. If they make an offer based on his original position in the draft, they must tender him at $1.176 million. It’s highly unlikely that another team is going to give up a third round pick for Croyle, but the presence of Chan Gailey in Buffalo and former Chiefs assistant Dick Curl in St. Louis may generate a market for his services. Both of those teams are in serious need of quarterback help. ORIGINAL PICK TENDER/$1.176 million.

QB Matt Gutierrez (26 in June, 4th season, $460,000) – Does a team tie itself to the tune of over $1.1 million for a third-team quarterback who hasn’t gotten the opportunity to play? Unlikely. NO TENDER OFFER.

LB Derrick Johnson (28 in November, 5th season, $2,250,000) – Johnson was the highest paid RFA on the Chiefs roster last year. From what we saw during the ‘09 season, D.J. didn’t fit into the K.C. plan. That might be different with new coordinator Romeo Crennel. On a roster devoid of playmakers, the Chiefs should hand Johnson a FIRST-ROUND TENDER OFFER/$2.521 million.

LB Corey Mays (27 in November, 5th season, $535,000) – Signed last year and projected as a specials teams force, Mays won a spot in the starting lineup and finished the year with 100 tackles. There’s also no question that the Chiefs need to improve on defense, and especially at inside linebacker. RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL TENDER/$1.176 million.

OL Ikechuku Ndukwe (28 in July, 4th season, $460,000) – Acquired in a pre-season trade with Miami, Ndukwe became the starter at right tackle for two games, until he was replaced by Ryan O’Callaghan. From that point on, Ndukwe barely got on the field. NO TENDER.

C Rudy Niswanger (28 in November, 5th season, $1,545,000) – As the team’s starting center, Niswanger has been an average player. But he brings intangibles to the team, like brains, work ethic and personality. There’s unlikely to be a lot of interest in Niswanger on the RFA-market but given the tender offer he received last year, I would give him a SECOND-ROUND TENDER/$1.759 million.

OT Ryan O’Callaghan (27 in July, 5th season, $460,000) – Claimed off the waiver wire from the Patriots, O’Callaghan became the starting right tackle once he got established. Although the line improved over the final half of the season – thanks to Jamaal Charles and his production – the play at tackle was not strong. Until they find someone better, they need to keep their rights to him. ORIGINAL PICK TENDER (5th-round)/$1.176 million.

FS Jarrad Page (26 in October, 5th season, $1,545,000) – Like Derrick Johnson, Page did not fit in with the Chiefs defense last year. His calf injury took him off the field only a few games before he would have lost his starting job. Again, a new coordinator may have a different view of him and given his first three seasons, there should be interest in Page if he hits the open market. Given his salary from last year, an SECOND-ROUND TENDER/$1.759 million would be enough. If Crennel doesn’t see him fitting in, then NO TENDER.

RB Kolby Smith (26 in December, 4th season, $460,000) – Given the injury situation that Smith has battled the last two seasons, it’s hard to believe there’s much of a market for his services. The Chiefs however, need another talented back to help Charles and that could be Smith, if he’s healthy. As a fifth-round pick, I’d slap an ORIGINAL PICK TENDER/$1.101 million on him to start, until I saw what else might be available. If the medical report on Smith is questionable, then NO TENDER.

CHIEFS ADD NEW SALARY CAP GURU

Although the club has not yet made an official announcement, the Chiefs have hired Alan “Trip” MacCracken and named him director of football operations. That’s a fancy title for contract negotiator, salary cap coordinator and legal counsel.

The 35-year old MacCracken joined the expansion Cleveland Browns in their first season of business operation in 1999. That was just after he graduated from the Duke University of Law School. The Ohio native held the title of Director of Football Administration through the ‘09 NFL season, but the bulk of his duties were taken over by Dawn Aponte who came with new head coach Eric Mangini last year. He was listed as the team’s legal counsel.

MacCracken graduated from Hawken School in suburban Cleveland and Hamilton College in central New York. He worked as an intern with the Washington Redskins, while also serving an internship at the White House during his junior year of college. While in law school he served a summer internship at the NFL Management Council in New York.

In talking about negotiating contracts, MacCracken said several years ago that it was “navigating a fine line with people that I’m trying to please both inside and outside the organization. I think ultimately competition brings out the best in everyone. I enjoy the process the most when the person across the table is really well prepared. The agents and I both have the common goal of seeing the players succeed for the Browns, and when that happens it’s really rewarding.”

With the addition of MacCracken, the status of Woodie Dixon is unknown. Dixon has served as the team’s general counsel and director of the salary cap the past two seasons and has been with the organization for the last six years. It would not be a surprise if he joined the growing list of former Chiefs employees.

SIGNINGS, ADDITIONS, DELETIONS & OTHER MOVEMENT AROUND THE LEAGUE

• BILLS – released TE Derek Fine, LB Ashlee Palmer, S John Wendling, C Marvin Philip, DE Jermaine McGhee, DT Marcus Smith and WR Justin Jenkins.
• FALCONS – named QB coach Bill Musgrave as assistant head coach.
• RAIDERS – agreed to terms with K Sebastian Janikowski to a four-year, $16 million with $9 million in guaranteed dollars.
• REDSKINS – hired Paul Kelly as assistant to the head coach.
• STEELERS – named Scottie Montgomery wide receivers coach.