Kansas City Chiefs: Scott Pioli May Be Skating on Thin Ice Come Free Agency Time

Scott Piloli is a bit of a mystery to me. He continues to be one of the most clandestine General Managers in the NFL. Just when you think Pioli and Hunt are cheap, they shock everyone, signing contract extensions that is equivalent to signing 5 major free agents. Anyone thinking the Chief organization is cheap should look at the numbers listed below.

We all know his formula for putting together the "right 53" on his roster. Basically to obtain a lot of team players who were Captains of their college teams, have a great work ethic, versatility, and football intelligence.

Although, he strays at times from that criteria, it seems to hold true more often then not.

What he has never explained, at least in print, is his strategy for managing the team salary cap.

Lets keep one very important point in mind. GMs can only spend what the owner allows them. Clark Hunt calls the shots, not Pioli.

When Kyle Orton was claimed by the Chiefs, it was unofficially reported that the Chiefs were $27 million under the salary cap.

If that figure is accurate, then it gives them the resources to pursue a prize free agent (possibly a Nose Tackle) come NFL Free Agency. If not any big names, at least smaller ones, like Steve Breaston, who can come on board and fill a lot of holes.

 But I wonder, can that reported figure possibly be true? $27 Million?

Over the last year, Pioli, has made a commitment to retain his core players with contract extensions. He has done just that.

The problem is, that if you look at those numbers, the Chiefs must be closer to the cap than many fans think.

The following is a list of just eleven players off of that 53 man roster. Given the money shelled out to these eleven alone, those figures would be hard to believe:

Jamal Charles—$33 Million with a $12 Million Guarantee

Derrick Johnson—$34 Million with $18 Million Guarante

Tamba Hali—$60 Million with $35 Million Guarantee

Eric Berry—$60 Million with $34 Million Guarantee

Tyson Jackson—$57 Million with $31 Million Guarantee

Matt Cassel—$63 Million with $28 Million Guarantee

Glen Dorsey—$51 Million with $22 Million Guarantee

Brandon Flowers—$50 Million with $22 Million Guarantee

Wallace Gilberry—$10 Million with $6 Million Guarantee

Brandon Albert—$38 Million with 18 Million Guarantee

If you figure the Chiefs will put a Franchise tag on Dwayne Bowe next year, then he will make an average of the top five wide receivers in the NFL. That will cost them an additional $15 million for next season alone.

You do the math.

Granted not all that money is guaranteed, some will be prorated over the course of the contract, but even still that is a staggering amount. Would trading Matt Cassel make the difference?

Then again, they may add Kyle Orton to the mix, but I doubt it.

I want to also point out that if the Chiefs let Orton walk after this season, then the Chiefs will get an extra sixth Round compensatory pick either in 2012 or 2013. It will depend on whether he signs before or after this upcoming draft.

Under $27 Million? I doubt that. Believe me, unless they make some moves don't expect them to be big spenders in NFL free agency in 2012