Best draft picks by Round - Round 1

[Rain Man]

I'll switch this up a little. Before posting my top 10 list, I'll start from the bottom, revealing in reverse order all 56 of the Chiefs' 1st round picks over the years. Then I'll put the top ten in this OP and put up the poll.

Feel free to share your memories, happiness, or disgust at each pick. I'll post one whenever I'm slightly bored.

#1 Buck Buchanan, DT
#2 Tony Gonzalez, TE
#3 Derrick Thomas, ROLB
#4 Ed Budde, LG
#5 Eric Berry, SS
#6 Gary Green, CB
#7 Derrick Johnson, ILB, OLB
#8 Art Still, DE
#9 E.J. Holub, OLB/C
#10 Tamba Hali, OLB/DE

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Junior Siavii?

Oh wait, he was 2nd round. Never mind

Originally Posted by Rain Man

They fought over Junior Siavii? That's not what I would have expected.

Isn't that the year we gave up a first for Coach Dick Vermiel? So technically Junior Siavii was our first pick of that draft ? Correct if I'm wrong somebody.

[Rasputin]

I can't bag on Junior Siavii too much. He was beast for me playing first person in ESPN 2k5. Still better than any Madden game put out. That first person was awesome playing inside the helmet.

[rico]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

They fought over Junior Siavii? That's not what I would have expected.

I dunno man, the guy is pretty cute... and I bet he was pretty "suave" when he spit game with both of them.

The weird world of the NFL.

(Jkjkjk)

[rico]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

#46. Jeff Kinney, RB, 1972. 23rd pick.

It's early 1972. You're a Nebraska power back who just won the national championship, and you scored four touchdowns in the "Game of the Century" that pitted undefeated #1 Nebraska against undefeated #2 Oklahoma. Here are the scores of the 13 games Nebraska played that year.

W*34–7** Oregon*
W*35–7** Minnesota*
W*34–7** Texas A&M*
W*42–6** Utah State*
W*36–0** at*Missouri
W*55–0** Kansas
W*41–13** at*Oklahoma State
W*31–7** No. 9*Colorado
W*37–0** Iowa State
W*44–17** at*Kansas State
W*35–31** at*No. 2*Oklahoma
W*45–3** at*Hawaii*
W*38–6** vs.*No. 2*Alabama*

You've just been drafted by a powerhouse AFC team that lost the longest game in NFL history a couple of months ago, and is two years from a Super Bowl victory. The team has seven future Hall of Famers coming back for the 1972 season, and a strong, seasoned core of veterans. Your LT has ten straight pro bowls, your left guard has six straight pro bowls, and your center is about to start a string of four straight pro bowls.

What could possibly go wrong?

Man, you tell me. The Chiefs were in decline, first and foremost. They were above .500 for Kinney's first two seasons, then sank below sea level for a decade. Kinney couldn't wrest the starting job from Ed Podolak, and then a couple of years later after Podolak retired he couldn't beat out Woody Green. He was a Chief for slightly more than four seasons, amassing a little more than 800 yards at a 3.4 ypc, and adding a little more than 400 receiving.

This local newspaper article http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1053703.html says that he was a Hank Stram guy, and when Stram left after his second year the new coach didn't feel that he was a fit.

Kinney had one season in Buffalo blocking for O.J. Simpson after he left KC, but that was it.

I'm not sure what to think about Kinney. He was on perhaps the strongest college team ever, so maybe that was an easy job for a running back. But I'm not sure that any of his linemen even made the NFL, so it's not like he was on one of the Miami teams that was full of 1st round picks. One could argue that his performance in the Game of the Century inflated his draft stock, and it was a very good performance, but he also carried the ball a lot of times to get those 171 yards.

My theory is that Kinney looked better at Nebraska than he really was, and it showed up in the pros.

Here's a picture of the back of his football card since I can't find a photo that those sleazeballs at Getty Images haven't stolen. It says that he was traded, but everything else I've seen says that the Bills claimed him off of waivers.

Man... so what was it that made that Nebraska team so good? Did anyone from that team pan out in the NFL? Were they somewhat similar to the Alabama teams we've been seeing the past few years?

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by rico

Man... so what was it that made that Nebraska team so good? Did anyone from that team pan out in the NFL? Were they somewhat similar to the Alabama teams we've been seeing the past few years?

Nebraska routinely had kick ass offensive lines back in the day.

[threebag]

Yeah corn fed linemen were a staple

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by rico

Man... so what was it that made that Nebraska team so good? Did anyone from that team pan out in the NFL? Were they somewhat similar to the Alabama teams we've been seeing the past few years?

Originally Posted by Dartgod

Nebraska routinely had kick ass offensive lines back in the day.

I was curious about that too, and I went back and looked at their roster. I hardly recognize any of the names in the NFL (bolded below), and I tend to have some feel for the NFL history from that era. John Dutton is the only guy that I would say became an NFL success. They must've had great coaching or a great system or something, because this was not an NFL-stacked roster at all.

8 Fuller, Bruce S 6-00 181 2So. Kansas City, Mo.
9 Coleman, Ron QB 6-03 195 2So. Ulysses, Neb.
10 Humm, Dave QB 6-02 186 2So. Las Vegas, Neb.
11 Manstedt, Steve DE 6-02 210 2So. Wahoo, Neb.
12 Brownson, Van QB 6-03 185 4Sr. Shenandoah, Iowa
13 Runty, Steve QB 5-11 186 2So. Ogallala, Neb.
14 Tagge, Jerry QB 6-02 215 4Sr. Green Bay, Wis.
15 Starkebaum, John MON 6-02 198 2So. Haxton, Colo.
16 McClelland, Tom S 6-01 193 4Sr. Turtle Creek, Pa.
17 Thornton, Bob RCB 6-00 187 3Jr. Lonita, Calif.
18 Anderson, Jim RCB 6-00 180 4Sr. Green Bay, Wis.
19 Borg, Randy RCB 6-00 189 2So. Alliance, Neb.
20 Rodgers, Johnny HB 5-10 171 3Jr. Omaha, Neb.
21 Westbrook, Don HB 5-11 185 2So. Cheyenne, Wyo.
22 Dixon, Gary HB 5-10 201 3Jr. Oxnard, Calif.
23 Schmit, Bob HB 6-01 192 2So. Boys Town, Neb.
24 Kosch, Bill S 6-00 176 4Sr. Columbus, Neb.
25 Mason, Dave MON 6-00 199 3Jr. Green Bay, Wis.
26 Hughes, Jeff HB 5-11 196 4Sr. Burlington, Vt.
27 Blahak, Joe LCB 5-10 184 3Jr. Columbus, Neb.
28 Goeller, Dave HB 5-11 188 2So. Pilger, Neb.
29 Hollstein, Gary LCB 6-00 175 4Sr. Rushville, Neb.
30 Moran, Jeff HB 6-01 191 2So. Huron, S.D.
31 Bell, John MG 6-00 203 3Jr. Anaheim, Calif.
32 Cox, Woody SE 5-09 167 4Sr. Grosse Point, Mich.
33 Peetz, Mike MON 6-01 200 2So. Sidney, Neb.
34 O'Connell, John S 6-02 192 2So. Sidney, Neb.
35 Kinney, Jeff HB 6-02 210 4Sr. McCook, Neb.
36 Butts, Randy HB 6-02 197 2So. Grand Island, Neb.
37 Johnson, Monte MG 6-06 232 3Jr. Bloomington, Minn.
38 O'Holleran, Mike HB 6-01 197 2So. Sidney, Neb.
39 Garson, Glen HB 6-00 184 2So. Fullerton, Calif.
40 Morell, Pat LB 6-02 215 4Sr. Kansas City, Kan.
41 Powell, Ralph FB 6-02 218 2So. Detroit, Mich.
42 Sloey, Bill LB 6-01 224 3Jr. Hawthorne, Calif.
43 Sanger, Rich LB 6-00 214 2So. Ovid, Colo.
44 Olds, Bill FB 6-01 215 3Jr. Kansas City, Kan.
45 Terrio, Bob LB 6-02 209 4Sr. Fullerton, Calif.
46 Damkroger, Maury FB 6-02 215 2So. Lincoln, Neb.
47 Carstens, Jim FB 6-00 218 3Jr. Glen Ellyn, Ill.
48 Hauge, Bruce LB 6-02 216 3Jr. Bloomington, Minn.
49 Strong, Jon LB 6-03 211 2So. Fremont, Neb.
50 Jamail, Doug C 5-11 205 3Jr. Bellaire, Texas
51 Branch, Jim LB 5-09 203 3Jr. Chicago, Ill.
52 Duffy, Joe LG 6-02 217 2So. Pittsburgh, Pa.
53 Kinsel, John C 6-02 222 3Jr. Council Bluffs, Iowa
54 Dumler, Doug C 6-03 237 3Jr. Melrose Park, Ill.
55 Janssen, Bill DT 6-03 228 3Jr. Grand Forks, N.D.
56 Pitts, John MON 6-01 196 3Jr. Flint, Mich.
57 Adkins, John DE 6-03 221 4Sr. Lynchburg, Va.
58 Hyland, John DE 6-02 202 3Jr. Lincoln, Neb.
59 Zanrosso, Dennis C 6-02 223 2So. Arleta, Calif.
61 Weber, Bruce LG 6-00 223 4Sr. Arlington Heights, Ill.
62 Beran, Mike RG 6-00 232 3Jr. Ord, Neb.
63 Henderson, Joe RG 6-02 225 2So. Red Cloud, Neb.
64 Johnson, Doug DE 6-05 218 3Jr. Omaha, Neb.
65 Wortman, Keith RG 6-03 238 4Sr. Whittier, Calif.
66 Pabis, Bob MG 5-10 205 4Sr. Monessen, Pa.
67 Anderson, Dan RG 6-01 225 2So. Fremont, Neb.
68 Robison, Tom DT 6-03 236 2So. Detroit, Mich.
69 McKinley, Kim DT 6-03 233 2So. Greeley, Colo.
70 Crenshaw, Marvin RT 6-05 223 2So. Toledo, Ohio (Woodward)
71 Johnson, Carl RT 6-04 252 4Sr. Phoenix, Ariz.
72 White, Daryl LT 6-04 238 2So. East Orange, N.J.
73 Lynch, Dan DT 6-05 250 2So. Yankton, S.D.
74 Righetti, Phil LT 6-02 235 3Jr. Phoenix, Ariz.
75 Jacobson, Larry DT 6-06 250 4Sr. Sioux Falls, S.D.
76 Wolfe, Bob LT 6-05 242 2So. Omaha, Neb.
77 Rupert, Dick LG 6-02 221 4Sr. Los Angeles, Calif.
78 Austin, Al RT 6-05 222 2So. Lincoln, Neb.
79 Glover, Rich MG 6-01 234 3Jr. Jersey City, N.J.
80 Lackovic, Tim SE 6-01 186 2So. Omaha, Neb.
81 Harper, Willie DE 6-03 207 3Jr. Toledo, Ohio (Scott)
82 Harvey, Phil TE 6-01 208 4Sr. Kansas City, Kan.
83 Wieser, Steve DE 6-00 196 2So. Columbus, Neb.
84 Didur, Dale SE 6-00 184 4Sr. Long Beach, Calif.
85 List, Jerry TE 6-01 218 3Jr. Bay City, Mich.
86 Longwell, Brent TE 6-04 222 2So. Homer, Neb.
87 Guibord, Greg DE 6-04 197 2So. Dearborn Heights, Mich.
88 Linder, Max SE 6-03 200 2So. Plattsmouth, Neb.
89 Anderson, Frosty SE 6-01 176 2So. Scottsbluff, Neb.
90 Dutton, John DT 6-07 241 2So. Rapid City, S.D.
92 Hegener, Stan LT 6-04 231 2So. Lincoln, Neb.
93 Doak, Mark NT 6-04 236 2So. Whittier, Calif.
94 Deyke, Tom DT 6-03 218 2So. Columbus, Neb.
96 Henrichs, Dennis LG 6-02 210 2So. Beatrice, Neb.
98 Hill, Jeff SE 6-02 190 2So. LaGrange, Ill.
99 Nelson, Chris TE 6-04 210 2So. Albion, Neb.
999 Peterson, John MG 4Sr. Alma, Neb.

[Rain Man]

#45. Harvey Williams, RB, 1991. 21st pick.

Harvey made only 7 starts during a 3-year career in Kansas City, gaining less than 900 yards and adding about 200 more receiving.

He went to Oakland and had a couple of productive seasons during a five-year span, but with an asterisk. One of those seasons was productive only because they kept handing him the danged ball since he was averaging less per carry than even Jerome Bettis. So in essence, he had one good season. So you can make an argument that he was an NFL-caliber player, but just not a high-end one.

The only defense for Harvey with the Chiefs is that he faced some stiff competition. When they drafted Harvey, the Chiefs had Christian Okoye on the roster, who was highly effective, and they'd gone down to the local jail and bailed out Barry Word the year before. As we all know, the way you prove yourself as a running back is to find the highest-round draft pick in your cell block and take him down, and that's what Barry did to Harvey.

So Harvey banged around low on the depth chart for a couple of years, and then suddenly Christian and Barry were both gone. It looked like Harvey's time had come, but Marty really likes veterans. He signed Marcus Allen and gave Kimble Anders more opportunities, and Harvey's time had come and gone.

My bottom line is that Harvey just wasn't that good. He couldn't beat out Okoye and Word, and then no young player had a chance against Marcus Allen on a Marty team.

Anyone else remember why Harvey busted?

[dj56dt58]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

#48. Jon Baldwin, WR, 2011. 26th pick.

How do we explain Jon Baldwin? He made the over the back catch, which is a pretty amazing highlight. And he ran at night, which is apparently cool. But he didn't do much else other than fight in the locker room.

To his credit, he managed to make the team for two years, and then had enough value to warrant a very low-level trade. But you want a 1st round pick to produce more than 10 starts and 607 receiving yards.

Does anyone remember the story with him? Why did he bust so hard? He was battling for the #2 WR spot with Steve Breaston and Keary Colbert and Dexter McCluster, and he eventually got the boot because Donnie Avery was signed. It's not like he was walking into a crowded wide receiver group.

In KC, one could possibly argue that the #2 WR got no looks because Matt Cassel was dropping to the ground if the first read was covered, but the fact that he did nothing in SF and no one else would sign him points toward an inability to be an effective WR. In fact, in 2012, he was the second leading wide receiver after Bowe unless you count McCluster as a wide receiver, and yet he only had 20 receptions. He got traded to San Francisco for a loaf of day-old bread, and recorded 3 receptions before being cut.

If your memory is fading, here's a picture of him possibly catching a ball or possibly dropping it. He tarnished the cherished #89 jersey by wearing it.

The behind the back catch didn't even count. There was a flag on the play

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by dj56dt58

The behind the back catch didn't even count. There was a flag on the play

In a way, that's kind of nice because it really stands as emblematic of his career.

[Rain Man]

#44. Sylvester Morris, WR, 2000. #21 pick.

Poor Sylvester. He tried to capture the Tweety Bird of NFL success, but he just got bonked in the knee by an old lady with a rolling pin.

He played only one season in the NFL, but there's a reason he's not lower on this list. In that one season, he had 14 starts. He'd won the job, and he was doing pretty well for a rookie wide receiver. He had 48 receptions for almost 700 yards, and he'd had the breakout 3 touchdown game against the Chargers for over 100 yards, and he had another 100 yard game against the Raiders.

He was a starting caliber NFL wide receiver who had a great upside. But his legs. His poor, poor legs. He was like Eddie Murphy at the beginning of Trading Places. I feel bad ranking him this low because I think he had a lot of potential, but he had the legs of a flamingo and the NFL is all about survival of the fittest.

Here are the news updates on Sylvester Morris after that promising rookie season of 2000. Take careful notes of the dates. This guy should have been a holdout in every training camp.

Thu, 21 Jun 2001 06:07:15 -0700

The Kansas City Star reports Kansas City Chiefs WR Sylvester Morris injured his right knee during drills. Morris was scheduled to have a MRI yesterday. The extent of the injury is not known at the time.

Thu, 21 Jun 2001 13:19:02 -0700

SportsLine.com's Len Pasquarelli reports the initial indication is that Chiefs WR Sylvester Morris suffered major damage to his right knee yesterday. There's a chance he could miss the entire 2001 season. It is believed that he tore his ACL and possibly also damaged his PCL. A torn ACL alone would be enough to keep him out for the upcoming year. Dr. James Andrews is expected to examine Morris. Chiefs officials inquired about WR Derrick Mayes, who was cut earlier this year by the Seahawks, earlier this week but have yet to schedule a meeting with him.

Fri, 09 Nov 2001 20:37:04 -0800

The Kansas City Star reports Kansas City Chiefs WR Sylvester Morris (knee) will probably miss all of the 2001 season. The Chiefs have until Tuesday to let Morris, their injured wide receiver, practice and still be eligible to play this season. "My thought right now would be to shut him down," coach Dick Vermeil said. "He has too far to go."

Fri, 03 May 2002 09:43:11 -0700

According to the Kansas City Star, Kansas City Chiefs WR Sylvester Morris (knee) isn't expected to participate in this weekend's minicamp.

Sat, 03 Aug 2002 20:03:44 -0700

KcChiefs.com reports WR Sylvester Morris saw his first live action since pre-season 2001 during Friday night's practice with the Vikings. He made a spectacular catch in heavy traffic. He did have to sit out Saturday's morning practice with soreness in his knee.

Tue, 06 Aug 2002 09:32:13 -0700

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil said WR Sylvester Morris (knee) did some work during Tuesday morning's practice but the team limited his reps. Morris has had some swelling in his knee.

Tue, 13 Aug 2002 10:20:19 -0700

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil said WR Sylvester Morris (knee) looked better during Tuesday morning's practice. However, he also added that Morris, at times, still does not look 100 percent.

Tue, 20 Aug 2002 13:39:18 -0700

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil said WR Sylvester Morris (knee) is still bothered by his previously injured leg. He was given the day off of practice.

Sun, 01 Sep 2002 14:03:56 -0700

KcChiefs.com reports the Kansas City Chiefs have placed WR Sylvester Morris (knee) on IR.

Mon, 21 Jul 2003 15:17:23 -0700

Adam Teicher, of the Kansas City Star, reports Kansas City Chiefs WR Sylvester Morris (hip) missed practice Monday, July 21, due to a hip injury. He was expected to undergo an MRI during the afternoon to determine the status of his injury. "He's due for some good luck and hopefully the MRI will show that it's a strain and he will be back with us real soon," head coach Dick Vermeil said.

Mon, 21 Jul 2003 21:53:44 -0700

Updating previous reports, the Associated Press says that Kansas City Chiefs WR Sylvester Morris (hip) will miss the rest of training camp with torn tissue in the back of his hip. According to head coach Dick Vermeil, Morris will miss at least six weeks. 'It's the type of injury that's going to take quite a while to heal,'' Vermeil said. ''They don't think it's an injury that will need an operation or anything like that, but he's going to miss a lot of football. Basically, he misses training camp and maybe a little more."

Sun, 27 Jul 2003 17:11:31 -0700

The Kansas City Star reports Kansas City Chiefs WR Sylvester Morris (hip) remained out of action during practice Saturday, July 26.

Tue, 26 Aug 2003 14:33:43 -0700

Kansas City Chiefs president Carl Peterson announced the team has placed WR Sylvester Morris on injured reserve. Morris will miss the entire 2003 season.

Wed, 15 Oct 2003 23:58:39 -0700

Adam Teicher, of the Kansas City Star, reports the Kansas City Chiefs waived WR Sylvester Morris (hip) off injured reserve.

Thu, 26 Feb 2004 13:59:43 -0800

Updating a previous report, PewterReport.com reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed free agent WR Sylvester Morris (Chiefs) to a contract. Terms of the deal were undisclosed.

Tue, 22 Jun 2004 09:46:55 -0700

Roy Cummings, of the Tampa Tribune, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Sylvester Morris (leg) suffered a leg injury during practice Tuesday, June 22. Morris was carted off the field and appeared to be favoring his right knee at the time.

Tue, 22 Jun 2004 21:45:37 -0700

Updating a previous report, Buccaneers.com reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Sylvester Morris (knee) could be lost for the season after suffering a right knee injury during workouts Tuesday, June 22. The injury happened on what head coach Jon Gruden called "a freak play" in which the wide receiver was untouched while running a pass route across the middle of the field. Morris sat out two years (2001-2002) while playing for the Kansas City Chiefs after suffering injuries on the same knee. "He wasn't hit and he really wasn't in an congested area," Gruden said. "He just planted and buckled his leg somehow, someway. It appears to be serious, but I don't have the final report yet. Gruden also added "It could threaten his season, when you talk about a serious knee injury. It could derail his comeback efforts," he said. Morris sat out all of 2003 with a hip injury.

Wed, 23 Jun 2004 15:51:35 -0700

Updating previous reports, PewterReport.com reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Sylvester Morris (knee) will miss the 2004 season with a torn ACL.

If you don't remember Sylvester, here are pictures of him in 2000 and then in 2004.

[Rasputin]

I remember Harvey Williams as tall and lanky and had a really long neck like those girls that put rings around their neck to make them longer. I don't think his body was built to be a steadfast running back in the NFL. I remember a Deberg​ playaction that faked out the cameras and thought he had the ball but it went for a Stephone Paige Touchdown. That play was common with our runningbacks.

[Rain Man]

#43. Percy Snow, ILB, 1990. #13 pick.

If we divide our first-round picks into quadrants, Percy rounds out the bottom quartile of Chiefs first-rounders. He's basically the linebacker version of Sylvester Morris, but a little further down the leg.

We all know the story. Good first season, then rides his motor scooter on campus, wipes out, and the ankle is gone. Gone. Campus cleaning crews vacuumed it up. He missed his entire second season, then came back as a shell of himself in his third year. Tracy Simien took his job and never looked back. Percy got cut, stopped for a cup of coffee with the Bears, and then rode off into the night.

He was a very linebacker-looking guy when you put a uniform on him. It's too bad that he didn't follow Neil Smith and Derrick Thomas as the third great defender. Those triplets could have accomplished great things.

In 2015, the New York Times did a "where are they now" of the first round of 1990 25 years later. It's a really interesting article, so check it out: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/...lass-1990.html

It sounds like Percy wasn't very happy with Marty when he left, and his life hasn't gone as planned. He had total career earnings of $2 million, but declared bankruptcy in 1999 and got kicked out of a house in 2010. However, he was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013, so he's got that going for him. He was selected over Derrick Thomas, who had to wait until 2014 to get in: http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt...l-of-Fame.html

[Rain Man]

#42. Paul Palmer, RB, 1987.

With the #42 pick, we move from the bottom quartile of busts to the third quartile of mild to moderate disappointments. Paul Palmer certainly falls into that group.

To a minor extent, Paul is a victim of circumstance. He was taken with the 19th pick, and then on the 35th pick the Chiefs selected the Nigerian Nightmare, who was way more scary. I'm not sure what Paul's 40 time was, but it couldn't have been that much faster than Okoye's.

Even so, a first-round pick should beat out a second-round pick, and that didn't happen. Palmer wasn't a complete bust when he was playing. He only got about 600 yards rushing in two seasons, but he added another 600 in receptions and he brought two kickoffs back for touchdowns his rookie year. If not for an unfortunate bus incident described below, he probably would have lasted another year or two.

The story of his departure from the team is rather interesting, as reported here. Whether he was joking or not, coaches tend to not like a player tanking to get the coach fired. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/2...TO-FUMBLE.html

Kansas City Chiefs running back Paul Palmer was suspended by Coach Frank Gansz because he threatened to purposely fumble a few balls during a game in order to embarrass his coaching staff, The Boston Globe reported Tuesday.

Palmer was suspended after making a comment Saturday about "dropping a few balls on the carpet" Sunday in Kansas City's game against Pittsburgh, the Globe said, quoting unnamed sources.The comment was made by Palmer on a Chiefs team bus in Pittsburgh after other players were informed by C.T. Hewgley, the Chiefs' strength and weight coach, that they were being fined for being late to a team meeting earlier in the morning, the Globe said.

Although Palmer was not among those fined for being late, he made the comment after other players began criticizing both the fines and the coaching staff in general, the Globe said. Palmer's comment about fumbling, which he described as a way of ensuring that the team's coaching staff would be fired next season, was relayed by Hewgley to Gansz, the newspaper said.

Gansz, in suspending Palmer for the maximum of four games as allowed by NFL rules, did not state his reason publicly other than to describe it as being for conduct detrimental to the team. Kansas City lost the game to Pittsburgh, 16-10.

Palmer reportedly said afterward he was only joking when making the comment about fumbling, the Globe said.

He was cut in the offseason, then signed with Dallas, where he started 8 games behind a rookie Troy Aikman during the Cowboys' 1-15 year. Later that season, he was cut and briefly appeared in uniform for the Lions before moving on to his next career.

Here's a photo of Paul. He was less intimidating to tackle than Okoye, seen at right.

[Rain Man]

#41. Todd Blackledge, QB, 1983. #7 pick.

There's probably no need to bring up that Dolphins player. We all know that story. But did you know that he's the last quarterback drafted by the Chiefs who started a winning game for them? Let's hope that streak gets broken soon.

But back to Blackledge. From what I remember, it wasn't a shocker that he got picked. He was widely viewed as a first-round talent. No one batted an eye in 1983 when he was taken. I remember that Marino was also highly viewed, and the only difference really was that Marino had had an injury (shoulder?) that raised a question mark.

The Chiefs kept trying to work Blackledge into the lineup, but he simply couldn't beat out Bill Kenney. Blackledge was with the team for five years and in three of those years he had between 6 and 8 starts. Every year, Kenney outplayed him if you look at the stats. So he had his chance, but he couldn't get a firm grip on the starting job. When you're a top ten pick, that's not good.

He wound up starting 24 games for the Chiefs amassing about 4,500 yards passing with 26 TDs and 32 interceptions. He got minor action for a couple of years in Pittsburgh, but then had to go see the Turk. Opportunity lost.