Chiefs score in Draft

By RICK DEAN Morris News Service KANSAS CITY, Mo. - It wasn`t the sexiest draft. That review is to be expected when a team like the Chiefs go into the NFL draft seeking physically tough players as opposed to adding skill players. But after adding seven new players in his first draft as Kansas City`s new head coach, Herm Edwards believed his team had been upgraded by collegians who will push his returning players to be better - or else. "We`ve added some good players and created competition on our team, and that`s something you`ve always got to do," Edwards said after ending Sunday`s second draft days with four new additions: a cornerback, a guard, a wide receiver and the second safety of the seven-round draft. "There were certain positions we were trying to fill, and we did that," Edwards noted. "Some we would have liked to have done better, but the (draft) board didn`t dictate that. We never did reach way down to get a player to fill a need. I just think that puts an unfair expectation on a player who you shouldn`t have drafted that high to begin with." After getting the pass-rushing defensive end they wanted in Tamba Hali on Saturday`s first day, then adding a strong safety and a quarterback candidate in the next two rounds, the Chiefs finally addressed their depth at cornerback in Round 5 of Sunday`s final day. They didn`t get the ready-for-prime time player they might have drafted in the first round, but they found a talented project in Miami`s Marcus Maxey, whose progress with the Hurricanes was limited by the presence of NFL players such as Antrel Rolle ahead of him. With their two sixth-round picks the Chiefs added Tre Stallings, a Mississippi tackle projected to move to guard in the NFL, and Jeff Webb, a downfield receiver who caught Edwards` eye while playing with the head coach`s son at San Diego State, Edwards` alma mater. "I`ve watched him for the two years my son played behind him," Edwards said. "He`s a big, physical guy who can get open down the field and go over people to get the ball." With their final pick the Chiefs added UCLA safety Jarred Page, one of the Bruins` top defenders whose development in football was slowed by his skills as a baseball prospect. Page has been drafted twice - by the Milwaukee Brewers and the Colorado Rockies. The Chiefs did not have a fourth-round pick, having lost it to the Jets as compensation for hiring Edwards. The Chiefs took four defensive players with their seven picks. And while they did not get the big-name cornerback that could have been available in Round One, Edwards believes he`ll find a corner to play opposite Patrick Surtain from a group that includes newly acquired former Denver starter Lenny Walls, former Ram Chris Johnson or returning young Chiefs such as Julian Battle or Alphonso Hodge. "We`ve got nine or 10 (corner candidates) and one starter," Edwards said. "But there are still a lot of things that can happen between now and September." Chiefs draft picks Round 1/20 overall - Tamba Hali, DE, 6-3, 275, Penn State Three-year starter moved from defensive tackle to end after sophomore season, recorded 11 sacks and 17 tackles for losses as a senior when he won first-team All-America honors from several organizations, including the AP. Round 2/54 - Bernard Pollard, SS, 6-1, 224, Purdue Strong run-support safety flashed the athleticism to block five kicks while playing on special teams even as a starter. A workhorse, he started 35 of 36 games in three seasons before electing to come out early. Round 3/85 - Brodie Croyle, QB, 6-2, 206, Alabama. Overcame ACL injury to one knee in 2001 and another to his other knee in 2004 to become Bama`s career leader in pass completions, yards (6,107) and TD passes (40). Durability issues are a concern after his history of injuries. Will compete initially for No. 3 job with recently signed CFL QB Casey Printers. Round 4/117 - Traded to Jets as compensation for coach Herm Edwards. Round 5/154 - Marcus Maxey, CB, 6-0, 192, Miami. Big, physical raw talent who couldn`t get on the field full-time until his senior season. Played behind Antrel Rolle for several years, and his lack of playing time shows. Round 6/186 - Tre Stallings, G, 6-3, 315, Mississippi. Four-year starter played in all 48 games, mostly at left tackle. Played final eight games in `04 after injuring an ankle. Round 6/190 - Jeff Webb, WR, 6-2, 211, San Diego State. Vertical threat was three-year leader in receptions during four-year career, with a career-high 79 catches in 2005. Round 7/228 - Jarred Page, S, 6-0, 225, UCLA. Durable strong safety started 10 games for Bruins as a freshman. Last Bruin to do that was Kenny Easley in 1977. Started 45 of 49 games in four-year career, but didn`t participate in spring while playing college baseball.