What happened to Ben Niemann?

[BlackOp]

I haven't heard much talk about him around here...but wasn't he PFF's top rated pre-season LBer?

He was kicking ass then silence...

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nf...216582515.html

[BlackOp]

Originally Posted by Chief Northman

My goodness people. He compiled his “stats” going against #3’s.

Let’s not get carried away. Cheap, young player who shows some savvy and instincts, but not exactly a top-shelf athlete nor phyiscal specimen.... not a fluid mover and needs to add strength. DEPTH AND SPECIAL TEAMER.

Which people are you addressing?

I haven't seen anyone anointing him...only that he showed potential. It's a position where the Chiefs need to improve...nothing more, nothing less.

Will he amount to anything...who knows...but he did look good when he played.

I thought it was worth talking about...being that he graded out #1 in the entire NFL preseason.

When you have unheralded players like him...you look for them "to make plays" when given the chance...which is exactly what he did.

[oldman]

I was high on him during the preseason, but he seemed a little lost in a 3-4. If we move to a 4-3, I can see him having a chance. A year of strength conditioning along with some bulk could pay off. He seems to be a heady player and isn't afraid to stick his nose in to lay a hit on someone. Oldman likes guys that know how to hit.

[tyton75]

Not every guy is "starter" material; but it great to have a solid guy as a backup. I think he fits that roll that Dan Sorenson once filled. A solid guy, with obvious weaknesses; off the bench.

[scho63]

Her caught a case of "Catapano" and that was pretty much it.

[ChiefGator]

He wasn't that slow really. he ran a 4.78 40. Compare that to the players at the top of the OLB draft list this year, and the top guys are in the 4.63-4.68 range. That is not enough difference to be significant.

Will be interesting how he does after a year training and getting some experience under his belt.

Moving to a new scheme is going to bring some of these players that were 'marginal' before up a notch or two.

[BWillie]

He seemed to play just fine when given opportunity. Didn't get alot of playing time is all.

[oldman]

Didn't he get hurt toward the end of the season? Not enough to be on IR, but I seem to remember him being nicked up.

[htismaqe]

In the 4-3, he's likely going to be a permanent backup at both MLB and WLB. Honestly, I think that may be where DOD is headed too.

[Discuss Thrower]

He died of a heroin OD after he had a bad night on the kit at the Village Vanguard.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

In the 4-3, he's likely going to be a permanent backup at both MLB and WLB. Honestly, I think that may be where DOD is headed too.

I'm ok with that, especially at this point in their careers. Solid special teamers, solid backups - every team needs those.

[Chris Meck]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

In the 4-3, he's likely going to be a permanent backup at both MLB and WLB. Honestly, I think that may be where DOD is headed too.

more than likely for Niemann, yeah. DoD? I don't think so. I think he's your penciled-in starter at Will.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Chris Meck

more than likely for Niemann, yeah. DoD? I don't think so. I think he's your penciled-in starter at Will.

Not if they draft someone like Devin Bush, I think he'll end up on the bench.

[Chris Meck]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Not if they draft someone like Devin Bush, I think he'll end up on the bench.

maybe.

But it seems to me that CB and S would be the targets in those first few picks; or maybe a true SAM backer in the 2nd or 3rd.

but maybe. who knows?