FanPost

More help at DE needed? Tamba Hali the answer?

The addition of Aaron Maybin was a much needed jolt to Buffalo's pass-rush woes; however, taking the 21-year old stand-out from Penn State did not magically eliminate all of Buffalo's problems at the defensive end position.  Although Maybin will undoubtedly play a large role in Buffalo's defense right from the get-go, it remains likely that Chris Kelsey will be Buffalo's opening day starter in 2009.  Opposite Kelsey will be 31-year old, Aaron Schobel.  Schobel is coming off an injury induced 2008 season and some question whether his best years are behind him.  The Bills do have Chris Ellis, but last year's third round hasn't shown any indication that he would be an upgrade over Schobel or Kelsey anytime in the near future.  So are the Bills really content with what they have?  If not, are there opportunities still out there?

One opportunity may be Kansas City Chief, Tamba Hali.  The Chiefs are continuing their switch to a 3-4 defense (although they will play some 4-3 as well) and during the transition, Tamba Hali may be an odd man out.  Hali, a prototypical 4-3 end, is currently trying to make the switch to outside linebacker in the 3-4 during the Chiefs off-season workouts; however there is no guarantee that the switch will be successful.  If it becomes apparent to the Chiefs in the next month or two that Hali does not have the athleticism to make the transition, can he be available via trade?   Would Buffalo be interested?  They should be.

Hali is only 25 years old.  He's 6-3, 275 pounds and has had success getting to the quarterback in his young career.  The 3-year pro, registered 8 sacks in his first two season, but struggled some in 2008, only able to take down the quarterback twice all season.  Some attributed Hali's drop off in production to the departure of Jared Allen after the 2007 season, but the former first round pick still has a lot of potential.  He is also relatively cheap, having two years remaining on his rookie contract ($940,000 in 2009; $1.31 million in 2010).

So what would it take to get Hali?  Considering the lack of value he offers Kansas City, I would not imagine that the Chiefs would be in position to ask for the house.  Roscoe for Hali straight-up?  A mid-round pick in 2010?  A third-round pick in 2010 (although I think that's a bit much)?  Adding Hali would also allow Buffalo to finally remove Chris Kelsey and his $3 million from the roster.  Going under that assumption that Hali is a better talent than Kelsey (which I think is undoubtedly true), his addition would be a net gain for Buffalo - both on the field and financially.

Thoughts?

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.