Kansas City Chiefs: Is Aqib Talib the right move for the Chiefs?
By Chris Taylor
This should be the most interesting and exciting off-season in decades for the Kansas City Chiefs. A big rumor right now is the addition of current Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib.
The Kansas City Chiefs have plenty to do this off-season. Most of the attention needs to be on adding talent to the defensive side of the ball. One of the most pressing issues is finding the right corner to play opposite of Marcus Peters.
That in itself is an exciting thought. The Chiefs will have plenty of cap space assuming they make the cuts they need to, and the corner position is ripe when it comes to available free agents.
A possible big name that has spread throughout the twittersphere like wildfire is current Broncos corner Aqib Talib. It seems apparent that Denver will part ways with Talib this off-season as the team tries to figure out their own issues.
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The addition undoubtedly would help the Chiefs, that shouldn’t be in question. The question I present is whether or not it’s the right move at that position.
Many Chiefs fans are familiar with Talib. Not only because he plays for a division rival, but he played collegiate ball just down the road in Lawrence.
Questionable conduct
As with anybody, a look into a players conduct off the field, as well as on it, should be taken into consideration. Andy Reid has done a fine job with players who have a questionable past, so automatically we tend to give guys a pass due to the teacher.
Talib has had instances in question since he literally joined the league. A fist fight at the NFL rookie symposium, charges of battery and resisting arrest, he even shot himself in the leg outside a strip club, allegedly.
On the field, his outstanding play has been overshadowed at times due to his poor conduct. Sounds like someone Chiefs fans know, right? Albeit the most recent issue was with Oakland Raiders receiver Michael Crabtree, Chiefs fans could probably forgive Talib for that with ease.
Age a concern?
Talib will turn 32 in February. That’s getting up there in age as far as football goes. That’s the same age as Darrelle Revis, whom fans would rather the Chiefs not re-sign due to price tag and lack of production.
Honestly, Talib appears to be a younger 32 year old than Revis does. His age shouldn’t be a concern to fans. Where his age may be a concern is the amount of younger corners on the market this off-season. Trumaine Johnson and Malcolm Butler come to mind. Marcus Peters is only 25, so a long term fix to the other side seems much more likely and even more reasonable.
Nuts and Bolts
The combination of Peters and Talib would no doubt be a scary one. Talib would fix many issues that the Chiefs were faced with this past season. The thing is, so would other cornerbacks in the league. Then there is the question of conduct, with possibly two players to keep an eye on. Eric Berry may be able to settle one down, but two?
These are all just things to think about. I believe the addition of any quality player is a good idea. The abundance of money the Chiefs should have at their disposal gives this team flexibility unlike anything they’ve seen during the Andy Reid era. If the Chiefs grab a hold of Talib, be happy. If they go a different route that is fine too.
Either way the Chiefs go, nothing less than a big time corner should be expected.