Cushing Injured in Jets Game on MNF

[HPF Bob]

But DJ's salary averages $3M/yr over the remaining years which isn't that bad plus we might want to let Cushing's knee heal next year by not demanding he be on the field so much. Anyway, I don't think the Chiefs do this deal unless they are really ready to pull the plug on this year and start trading away assets. They're starting Brady Quinn for Matt Cassel this week but I don't think that's a sign they are giving up yet.

[barrett]

Plus I've seen nothing that says Wade's system prevents a 2nd ILB from being on the field in passing downs. It is just a matter of who is the best guy to defend the pass in obvious passing situations. Logically it is your 4 best pass rushers, your best 6 DBs, and a MLB who can cover/zone a bit. But not always. This year Cushing has been less in coverage and actually blitzes a fair amount or spies and then rushes when he determines the spy is not needed.

That is why on passing downs I actually think we could actually get away with mixing in a standing Brooks Reed in the middle the rest of the year. He is definitely not a MLB, but if 5 are coming, why not. To avoid tendencies he can still occasionally drop into zone blitz coverage (as can Barwin a tiny bit), so you could still bring a DB for confusion's sake. But if it comes down to Brady James/Dobbins/Ruud not covering a RB/TE or Brooks Reed being an obvious 5th pass rusher, I'd go with Reed.

[Keith]

I think that's an especially interesting idea re: Reed with the pass-happy Packers in town this weekend. They're miserable at running the ball, and teams are having a field day getting to Aaron Rodgers this season.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

But DJ's salary averages $3M/yr over the remaining years which isn't that bad plus we might want to let Cushing's knee heal next year by not demanding he be on the field so much. Anyway, I don't think the Chiefs do this deal unless they are really ready to pull the plug on this year and start trading away assets. They're starting Brady Quinn for Matt Cassel this week but I don't think that's a sign they are giving up yet.

I got to see a couple of the Chiefs games last year and Johnson was outstanding, actually I thought he was the best ILB in the AFC last year (yes, that includes Cushing). But if we could get him at a discount, for modest money that wouldn't be DeMeco ballpark money then perhaps a deal would be feasible if the Chiefs were interested ? BTW, DJ very soon will be 30 so he's 2 years older than DeMeco - another reason not to invest too much in him.

[today]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

But DJ's salary averages $3M/yr

We don't have enough cap room to absorb $3m do we?

[HPF Bob]

After the restructuring was done on Schaub, who knows? There probably isn't cap room but there always seems to be a way to make this stuff work. The Patriots never seem to have trouble bringing in a veteran when they need one.

[today]

Chiefs lost again today, their season is just about over. Make the call Rick!

[Warren]

Any word on Sharpton? The three-week window for him to start practicing opened this week, and when (or if) he starts practicing they'll have three weeks to decide whether to activate him or put him on IR. Kubiak said after the Jets game that Sharpton wasn't ready to come back as of that point.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by Warren

Any word on Sharpton? The three-week window for him to start practicing opened this week, and when (or if) he starts practicing they'll have three weeks to decide whether to activate him or put him on IR. Kubiak said after the Jets game that Sharpton wasn't ready to come back as of that point.

Best case is after the bye. Worst case is.....

Kubiak hasn't sounded real optimistic when he's been asked.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by WMH

Kubiak hasn't sounded real optimistic when he's been asked.

It's sounding more like he is IR bound. That is a tough injury to come back from and his set back that he had right before training camp appears to be more serious then were lead to believe when it happened.