Chiefs Agree to Terms with RB Jamaal Charles, TE Brad Cottam
Filed under: Carl Peterson, KC Chiefs Football, News, Roster
EIGHT DRAFT CHOICES HAVE NOW AGREED TO TERMS
Kansas City Chiefs President Carl Peterson announced on Monday that the club has agreed to terms of three-year contracts with RB Jamaal Charles and TE Brad Cottam. As per Chiefs policy, no other terms of the agreements were made available.
The Chiefs have now agreed to terms with eight of their 12 draft picks from the 2008 draft class. Charles and Cottam join third-round selection S DaJuan Morgan (82nd overall), fourth-round pick WR Will Franklin (105th overall), fifth-round selection CB Brandon Carr (140th overall), sixth-round picks T Barry Richardson (170th overall) and WR Kevin Robinson (182nd overall) and seventh-round pick DE Brian Johnston (210th overall).
Charles (5-11, 199) joined the Chiefs as the club’s first of three third-round picks (73rd overall) in the 2008 NFL Draft. He saw action in 38 contests (17 starts) at Texas, rushing 533 times for 3,328 yards (6.2 avg.) with 36 TDs. His rushing total ranked fourth all-time behind Texas greats Ricky Williams (6,279), Cedric Benson (5,540) and Earl Campbell (4,443). He was also a two-year member of the Texas track and field team.
Charles opened all 13 contests for the Longhorns in 2007, recording 258 rushes for 1,619 yards (6.3 avg.) with 18 TDs. He earned first-team All-Big 12 honors and was named third-team All-America by The NFL Draft Report. He recorded 45 carries of 10+ yards and seven 100-yard rushing games.
The Port Arthur, Texas native was a Parade All-America selection at Memorial High School. Charles set the Port Arthur City rushing record, breaking the previous mark held by RB Joe Washington.
Cottam (6-7, 269) joined the Chiefs as the club’s second of three third-round picks (76th overall) in the 2008 NFL Draft. He saw action in 38 contests (nine starts) at Tennessee, catching 21 passes for 341 yards (16.2 avg.) with one TD. He also had one special teams tackle and was a three-time Academic All-Southeastern Conference selection.
Cottam’s finest college season came as a redshirt junior in 2006 when he played in 13 games (six starts) and caught 14 passes for 182 yards (13.0 avg.). The Germantown, Tennessee native was an All-Metro Memphis private school honoree at Evangelical Christian High School. He was also a standout prep basketball player.
via kcchiefs.com
And here are some highlights from the two newest Chiefs:
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Rams ink top pick Long - Dorsey waits…
From Sports Network
St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - The St. Louis Rams signed defensive end Chris Long, the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft, to a long-term contract Sunday.
Terms were not disclosed but The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the contract covers at least five years.
The deal will allow Long, a 6-foot-3, 279-pound end from Virginia, to report to Concordia University in Mequon, Wisconsin by next Thursday, when the Rams open training camp.
The son of NFL Hall of Famer Howie Long, the younger Long is expected to start at right defensive end next season for St. Louis, which finished an NFC-worst 3-13 in 2007.
A unanimous All-America selection, winner of the Ted Hendricks Award (given to the nation’s top defensive end), and ACC Defensive Player of the Year for 2007, Long had 14 sacks for the Cavaliers in his senior year.
Now, with the top drafted defensive player signed one would think it would only be a matter of time before the Chiefs get Glenn Dorsey signed. Here’s to me hoping it is sooner rather than later.
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Kansas City Chiefs sign draft pick DaJuan Morgan
Safety DaJuan Morgan agreed to a three-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday.
The signing means the Chiefs have signed six of their 12 draft picks. Details of Morgan’s contract were not announced. The third-round draft pick played college ball at North Carolina State.
With a week left before training camp, the Chiefs have not yet signed their two first-round picks, LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and Virginia tackle Branden Albert, or their second-round choice, cornerback Brandon Flowers.
Running back Jamaal Charles of Texas, tight end Brad Cottam of Tennessee and tight end Michael Merritt of Central Florida also have not signed.
More:
Last season, Morgan earned a spot on the all-Atlantic Coast Conference second team, recording a career-best 117 tackles and three interceptions at North Carolina State. He started 11 games for the Wolfpack - six at free safety and five at strong safety.
The 6-0, 203-pound Morgan, who skipped his senior season to enter the draft, can play either safety position and is expected to battle for a backup spot with the Chiefs, who also could use him in special teams situations. Jarrad Page and Bernard Pollard were Kansas City’s starting safeties last year.
via SBRForum
I don’t know about the rest of you but I see Morgan in the mix for the starting job. These are all Herm guys’ now so they all should be given a fair shot.
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Chiefs sign draft picks Robinson and Johnston
Chiefs finally sign some more draft picks, inking Kevin Robinson and Brian Johnston
Associated Press:
KANSAS CITY, Mo.: The Chiefs agreed to three-year deals with draft picks Kevin Robinson and Brian Johnston on Wednesday. Terms of the contracts were not available.
Robinson, a receiver, was one of Kansas City’s two sixth-round picks. He caught 178 passes for 2,485 yards in 46 games for Utah State. He set school records with 1,104 yards and four touchdowns on punt returns, and 2,725 yards and four touchdowns on kickoff returns.
Johnston, a defensive end, was one of the Chiefs’ two seventh-round picks. He had 268 tackles and 21 sacks in four years at Gardner-Webb. He also forced 10 fumbles, recovered three, and blocked one kick.
Some in for on WR Kevin Robinson from scout.com
Instant Analysis: Tom Marino
One of the best kick and punt-return guys in the country. Enormously talented guy who sees the crack, he’s very instinctive. He’s not been good at it, he’s been outstanding at it. The big problem is he doesn’t have great speed. He has to make the team as a returner first and foremost. I think what he does is he replaces Dante Hall, but he’s a guy that can do those kinds of things.
Instant Analysis: Nick Athan
Robinson is also strong, and that could be something that helps develop his return abilities in the NFL. The one thing that stands out with Robinson that he rarely backpedals. He’s always moving forward and when he gets a seam he knows how to hit the hole. He can break tackles and has outstanding lateral movement. He can also catch the ball and might be an option as KC’s fourth or fifth wide receiver.
Some more on Brian Johnston from nfldraftdog
One of the top prospects for the 2008 NFL Draft that you have probably never heard of is Brian Johnston. Yes Gardner Webb’s defensive end Brian Johnston is from a small school, but he has big time NFL talent. You don’t think those small school players can compete in the NFL? Just ask the Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen, who was a fourth-round selection (126th overall) out of Division I-AA Idaho State from the 2004 NFL Draft. Johnston is also similar to Dallas Cowboys’ defensive end Jason Hatcher, who was selected in the 3rd round (92nd overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft from small school Grambling. Johnston has similar size (6’ 5” 280 lbs) and production to both of those guys as well as similar NFL potential.
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Brad Cottam Could Be A Starter
via RotoTimes.com
- June 24, 2008
Tight end Brad Cottam, a third-round pick out of Tennessee, was impressive enough in spring that he likely will be a starter when the Kansas City Chiefs open games in a two-tight end formation, according to USA Today.
Our View:Cottam is a better blocker than receiver, but that’s exactly what the team needs him to be. Cottam’s presence as a blocker could free up Tony Gonzalez to get even more involved in the passing offense.
I really hope this third-round pick works out well for the Chiefs, because I’m sure they are planning on this guy being the Tony Gonzalez replacement, although there is no replacing a future Hall of Fame TE. Also, with nothing being said about the fullbacks one could assume the Chiefs will be looking at more two tight end sets on offense. Good Luck Brad Cottam!
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Q&A with Chiefs OT Branden Albert
This is interview was done by josh Wolff at ProFootball Weekly. I am not taking credit for this interview, just passing it on for all of you to enjoy. Original article found here.
- After starting all 37 games that he played in at the University of Virginia, many thought Branden Albert would be a first-day selection in the 2008 NFL draft. But after showcasing incredible athleticism at the NFL Scouting Combine, his stock skyrocketed and he became the 15th pick overall by the Chiefs.
While primarily a guard in the college, Kansas City saw enough mobility and strength in Albert to project him as the team’s future left tackle. He now is charged with the task of anchoring a rebuilding offensive line as a rookie.
The 23-year-old recently took a few minutes to talk to PFW about barbeque food, transitioning to tackle, the Chiefs’ offensive scheme and Julius Peppers.
PFW: Kansas City is famous for its barbeque — have you been able to sample any great BBQ yet?
Albert: I’ve tasted a couple of places: LC’s Bar-B-Q and Gates Bar-B-Q. Those places have great food.
PFW: How are you enjoying your time in Kansas City so far?
Albert: I am enjoying it real well. I just got a new house, so I’m excited about that. I’m also excited about the new season and being a part of this new era that’s going on in Kansas City.
PFW: Being a guard in college and now moving to left tackle in Kansas City, how is the transition going?
Albert: It’s going pretty well. There are times where I’m doing very well and there are times where I’m struggling. But for the most part, I’m getting it and learning on the run.
PFW: How is the offensive line play different in the NFL?
Albert: It’s the terminology. It’s basically the same scheme I’m used to because (Chiefs offensive coordinator) Chan Gailey runs the same scheme that I ran in high school just with different terminology and terms of plays. But basically, it’s the same scheme. It’s been helping me along, too, so the only thing I have to work on is my technique at left tackle.
PFW: What’s the biggest difference you’ve seen so far from college to the NFL?
Albert: You’re going against a great player every day in practice. Every play, everyone is going hard — every play — nobody is taking a play off. You’re not playing against scout-team players; you’re playing against guys who are veteran players, some guys who are Pro Bowlers. You’ve got to practice against those guys every day.
PFW: Which Chiefs players have you become friends with?
Albert: Dwayne Bowe and Brian Waters. Most of my rookie class I am pretty good friends with, too. A lot of guys, but those two that I mentioned, I talk to and do stuff with on a regular basis.
PFW: With Waters being a veteran, what has he done in the first couple of months to help your maturation and development?
Albert: He’s always telling pointers on the football field about situations I might get myself into. He’s telling me technique stuff and stuff about Willie Roaf. He tells me if I work hard enough, I could be like Willie. It’s a great compliment for me, but I have to prove that I have the potential to be that great. He helps me out a lot with my technique and just learning the game.
PFW: Which player are you most looking forward to playing against in the NFL?
Albert: I would have to say Julius Peppers.
PFW: What makes Peppers so enticing to play against?
Albert: He is one of the perennial Pro Bowl defensive ends in the NFL. I am the type of guy who likes challenges, and he’ll probably be one of the best challenges that I will face. [Editor’s note: The Chiefs play at the Panthers on Oct. 5] He’s been the best in the league and has done it for a long time. So, he’ll present a big challenge to me and I’m looking forward to it.
I’m glad that Albert seems to be doing well at OT so far and hope that be learns as much from Brain Waters as he can. He seems to have all of the tools necessary to be the starting LT for the Chiefs for years to come, let’s hope that works out.
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Barth makes first cut with Chiefs
It looks like undrafted rookie K Connor Barth has survived the first cut and will attend training camp with the Kansas City Chiefs. Veteran kicker Bill Cundiff was released.
- “My goal was to take it stage by stage,” Barth said by phone Friday. “I’m hoping to get to the next stage and be the last guy standing.”- Sarnewsonline.com
Barth and Nick Novak are the two remaining kickers on the Chiefs’ roster that will be battling for the job. Barth and Novak have also to become friends, but they both plan on winning the starting job.
- Of the ongoing, dueling job interview with Novak, Barth said: “It’s a fun little rivalry, but I’m going to work my butt off to win the job. There’s no rest.” - Starnewsonline.com
Well, however wins the job can’t be much worse that what happened last year… right??
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Kansas City Chiefs Sign Fourth Round Pick Will Franklin
From www.kcchiefs.com:
- Kansas City Chiefs President Carl Peterson announced on Wednesday that the club has agreed to terms of a four-year contract with WR Will Franklin. As per Chiefs policy, no other terms of the agreement were made available. Franklin is the second Chiefs draft choice to agree to contract terms, joining fifth-round selection CB Brandon Carr (140th overall).
Franklin (6-0, 209) joined the Chiefs as the club’s fourth-round pick (105th overall) in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played in 48 games (36 starts) at Missouri, catching 143 passes for 2,125 yards (14.9 avg.) with 13 TDs for the Tigers. His 143 receptions and 2,125 receiving yards are each tied for fourth in school history.
Franklin started all 11 games as a junior in 2006, catching 48 passes for 829 yards (17.3 avg.) with six TDs. He was named honorable mention All-Big 12. His 829 receiving yards in 2006 ranked as the seventh-highest single-season mark in Mizzou history.
The St. Louis, Missouri native was named all-state, all-metro and all-league as a senior at Vashon High School. He caught 37 passes for 907 yards with 17 TDs. Franklin was also a standout basketball player.
from nfldraftscout.com
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Name: Will Franklin
College: Missouri Number: 2
Height: 6-1 Weight: 214
Position: WR Pos2:
Class/Draft Year: Sr/2008
40 Time: 4.37 40 Low: 4.32 40 High: 4.48
Projected Round: 3-4 Stock: High: Late 2 Low: Early 5
Rated number 14 out of 335 WR’s 108 / 2526 TOTAL
And here is a clip of Franklin and teammate Tony Temple at the Mizzou Pro Day:
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Kansas City Chiefs sign fifth-round pick Brandon Carr
With twelve draft picks to sign and with OTA’s wrapping up the Kansas City Chiefs began the process of signing their draft picks by coming to terms with former Grand Valley State cornerback Brandon Carr. Carr was a fifth-round choice and was signed to a three-year contract.
It has been reported that the four year player from Grand Valley State has been outstanding in team workouts the last month and has a legitimate shot to crack the starting lineup.
Carr showed the same type of confidence he’s displayed on the football field through OTA’s during recent interviews and he expects to make an immediate impact on this team. It is a possibility that Carrcould start the season in New England opposite second round pick Brandon Flowers.
Kansas CIty head coach Herm Edwards has been heard saying that one of the reasons he liked Carr so much was the coaching he received in college. Does anyone have any details why Herm likes the coaching he recieved so much? Is there someone with ties to the Chiefs at Grand Valley State?
Anyway, I really hope all this hype on Carr is true.
Here is Brandon Carr’s pre-draft analysist from d2football.com
Overview and Analysis
Carr brings the total package from a physical standpoint at 6′1, 207, 4.4 40, 35-inch vertical, 6.80 3-cone, and 10′4 broad jump. His production (5 INT, 14 PBU) doesn’t hurt either. He shows the athletic ability, quickness, speed, and cover skills the NFL is looking for in a cornerback. Catches the ball well and can play in the slot or outside. He does lack physical play, doesn’t press much, and will have a tough time against quicker receivers. His senior season and pro day workouts have probably moved him up boards into the late rounds.
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