Chiefs of ‘07/Where Are They Now?
From River Falls, Wisconsin
The New England Patriots added veteran OL John Welbourn to their training camp roster this week.
Why? Because right now the Patriots are struggling for blockers and their options are few.
It got me to thinking about rounding up the other Chiefs who left after the 2007 season and where they are right now. We’ll update this again at the end of the pre-season.
Let’s start with Welbourn, who struggled mightly playing right guard for the Chiefs last year. But things are bad among the blockers in New England, which for Tom Brady must be pretty scary considering the way the Giants pounded him in the Super Bowl. That pass rush pressure was the key to New York’s upset victory.
Things don’t look so good right now for the Patriots blocking unit.  Starting LT Matt Light has missed most of the camp practice time with some sort of ailment. That’s the thing about the Patriots; they provide little or no detailed information on injuries when they are not required to by the league. RT Oliver Ross was signed as a free agent but he’s on the PUP list and the top backup there Ryan O’Callaghan has been sidelined by an undisclosed injury. NFL veteran OL Anthony Clement who was signed at the start of camp is already on the season ending IR list with a knee injury.
And the starting right tackle is Nick Kaczur and he could face NFL discipline after he was arrested and charged in April for illegal possession of prescription painkiller oxycodone. He cooperated with federal agents in a sting of his alleged supplier. New England also has problems at the guard spot.
That’s why they in the last week they have been signing first-year man Pete McMahon and veteran free agents Barry Stokes and Welbourn. McMahon has not appeared in an NFL game, while Stokes (34 years old) and Welbourn (32) have considerable experience.
Another Chiefs starter from last year that has been trying to get re-signed in New England is CB Ty Law, but right now he’s unemployed. Cleveland may also be a spot where Law could land.
Out in Denver former starting C Casey Wiegmann has been getting a lot of practice time with the first unit as starter Tom Nalen has battled injuries, including the torn biceps that ended his ‘07 season and a knee problem this year. Also with the Broncos is WR Samie Parker who is fighting for one of the backup receiver spots behind Brandon Marshall and rookie Eddie Royal.
Kris Wilson is in Philadelphia with the Eagles playing tight end, rather than fullback and he’s struggling to make a place for himself on the regular-season roster.
Joining DE Jared Allen in Minnesota is former Chiefs nickel back Benny Sapp and it sounds like he hasn’t changed much from his days at Arrowhead.
Down in Tampa Bay, Jimmy Wilkerson has been the primary backup behind right defensive end Gaines Adams. In Miami, Boomer Grigsby is trying to become the fullback for the Dolphins.
LB Keyaron Fox is getting time with the Steelers second defense in Pittsburgh, including action from a scrimmage over last weekend. WR-KR Eddie Drummond signed last week with Steelers.
S Greg Wesley got hurt early in Raiders camp, but he’s back practicing and it doesn’t sound like he’s impressing a lot of people.
Right now Law, WR Eddie Kennison, LB Kendrell Bell, and TE Jason Dunn are not employed by NFL teams. The last team associated with Kennison was Tampa Bay, but that was almost a month ago.
Bob, you forgot to mention Wesley going to the Raiders and getting injured after only a few hours of practice. Disappointing if you ask me. I was really hoping he’d get some playing time this year, giving us more of a chance to open up our passing game.
Good catch. I’ll add him in on re-edit.
He’s back working with their defense, but he won’t crack the starting lineup unless there is an injury.
Thanks for reading.
BG
You know, I know that playing the Pats in their home stadium is going to a tremendous mountain to overcome, and I am by no means predictiong a Chiefs victory, but if their O-Line is that demolished and we are allowed to get after Tom Brady……..?who knows?
Your quote from Slapshot is attributed incorrectly. Paul Newman’s character was named Reg Dunlop.
BTW, thanks for the great updates.
Awesome. Basically, our former starters are playing 2nd and 3rd string on other teams; if not struggling to make their respective squads.
Bob, isn’t it to our benefit if more 2007 ex Chiefs make rosters and get some playing time? Don’t we stand to pick up some nice compensatory draft choices?
I hope New England stays hurt all along the o line until after we play them. With our D the way it is we have a real shot at beating them up there!