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  Bob Lutz  

This is how progress is made in the NFL

With the 253rd pick of the NFL Draft, the... what, it's over?

I think the Chiefs got it right with their draft. Of course, how could they possibly have gotten it wrong with all of their picks -- including two in the first round?

The good news is that the Chiefs have restocked their roster with a bunch of young, talented football players.

The bad news is that Carl Peterson is still the team's general manager and the man responsible for getting all of these players under contract and into training camp.

When it comes to the draft, I know only what the so-called experts tell me. And if they tell me tackle Glenn Dorsey could be the best defensive player to come along in years, I have to believe them.

Branden Albert, according to the experts, is going to be a first-rate offensive lineman, as soon as somebody figures out which position he'll play.

And if Brandon Flowers isn't quite a lockdown corner, he'll probably be better than any other player the Chiefs have at that spot.

So, kudos to KC. Perhaps the Chiefs are on the road to recovery. We'll know in a couple of seasons.

Don't forget, though, that the Chiefs have lost their heart and soul, defensive end Jared Allen, who was traded to the Minnesota Vikings last week.

Don't forget that the Chiefs still haven't resolved an unclear quarterback picture. Brody Croyle? Really?

Don't forget that there are still lots of holes on the offensive line. Or that tight end Tony Gonzalez is going to slow down sometime soon.

It's a work in progress. At least with this draft, there was progress.

• You know what would be cool? Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux and John Smoltz announcing their joint retirements after the 2008 season and going into the Hall of Fame together in 2014.

It could happen.

Maddux is 42. So is Glavine. And Smoltz is 41.

Glavine and Smoltz have run into some injury problems the past couple of seasons. Maddux looks like he could pitch until he's 75.

Whether any of these guys will hang 'em up after this season is questionable.

Smoltz, who has been with Atlanta his entire career, has a 2.00 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 27 innings. Does that sound like a pitcher who is waning?

Glavine, back in Atlanta after five years with the Mets, hasn't pitched much because he's been hurt but has a 2.38 ERA.

And Maddux is 2-1 with a 3.66 for the San Diego Padres. He was part of Atlanta's rotation with Smoltz and Glavine from 1993-2002.

OK, so maybe they retire after the 2009 season. Or 2010. I just know I would enjoy seeing them in Cooperstown together.

• I'm not sure Jordy Nelson could have gone to a team that fits him more than the Green Bay Packers.

I can see Nelson in that cold playoff climate, frost on his eyebrows.

• Admittedly, I'm doing some guessing with this next item, since I'm not an NFL Draft "expert."

But I try to pay attention, at least. So, with that on my resume, here are my best picks in rounds 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Round 3 -- Kevin Smith, RB, East Carolina, to Detroit.

Round 4 -- Anthony Collins, OL, Kansas, to Cincinnati.

Round 5 -- Ryan Torain, RB, Arizona State, to Denver.

Round 6 -- Mike Hart, RB, Michigan, to Indianapolis.

Round 7 -- Brandon Keith, G, Northern Iowa, to Arizona.

• Quarterback Matt Ryan, taken No. 3 by the Atlanta Falcons, is the rookie under the biggest microscope.

It's a disservice to Ryan to pick him this high. So, even though the money will be nice, I feel for Ryan, who will need time to develop. Time, unfortunately, the Falcons don't have.

• The Royals' offense is again a problem.

Jose Guillen, signed to a three-year deal with $36 million, is batting .177. There's still time for him to get it going, but it doesn't look real promising.

It's a shame, too, that the Royals can't find a position for Billy Butler. He's too young to be a full-time DH. Maybe, eventually, he'll work out at first base. But he doesn't have good feet, which is a problem when you're trying to field ground balls.

• Looking forward to potential second-round NBA playoff matchups between Boston and Cleveland in the East and San Antonio and New Orleans in the West. Good stuff.

Eagle sports columnist Bob Lutz co-hosts "Sports Daily" from 9-11 a.m. weekdays on KFH, 1240-AM and 98.7-FM. Reach him at 316-268-6597 or blutz@wichitaeagle.com.