Chiefs Shuffle Roster For QB
From the Truman Sports Complex
The Chiefs made several moves on Tuesday to fortify the quarterback position on their roster.
With Brodie Croyle out 2-to-4 weeks with a shoulder injury, the Chiefs signed Ingle Martin off the Tennessee practice squad.
They also elevated to the 53-man roster from their own practice squad WR Marques Hagans, a former college quarterback at the University of Virginia.
To make room for Martin and Hagans, the Chiefs released RB Jackie Battle and WR Maurice Price with plans of adding them to the practice squad in time for Wednesday’s workout. Because both Battle and Price have not played more than nine games in any one NFL season, they remain eligible to move to the practice squad. They must first pass through NFL waivers.
Early Tuesday afternoon, the Chiefs worked out quarterbacks Chris Simms and Tim Rattay at their practice facilities. They decided against signing either one. Simms signed Tuesday evening with Tennessee.
Martin, 6-2, 220 pounds was drafted in the fifth round (148th pick overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. He actually played in one game for the Packers, the ‘06 season finale when he replaced Brett Favre late in the fourth quarter against Chicago.
The Packers released Martin at the end of the 2007 training camp and he signed to the Titans practice squad and spent the season in Nashville. In the recent 2008 pre-season, Martin completed 13 of 25 passes for 185 yards for the Titans, but was released on the final cutdown and went back to Tennessee’s practice squad.
Under NFL rules, any team can sign any player off another team’s practice squad at any time. There are no restrictions. But the player that signs must be put on the 53-man active roster of his new team for at least three games.Â
Martin split his college football between the University of Florida and Furman University. He was recruited by Steve Spurrier to play for the Gators, but the head coach left for the NFL after his freshman season.  Martin was Florida’s starting quarterback in his sophomore year, but was replaced as the team’s starting quarterback halfway through the season by new head coach Ron Zook, who went with Chris Leak.  Martin transferred to Furman, where he led his team to a 21-6 record over two seasons, with a top five ranking in Division 1-AA.
Like Martin, Hagans was also a fifth-round draft choice (144th) in the ‘06 Draft, going to St. Louis. He spent the better part of the last two years on the Rams practice squad, but did play in four games last season, catching eight passes.
At Virginia, Hagans and Matt Schaub competed for the starting job in 2002, with Schaub eventually getting the spot. Hagans moved to wide receiver and returner, and even played some on defense. He became the Cavaliers starting quarerback for the 2004-05 seasons, making 24 consecutive starts in his junior and senior seasons.
Hagans, 5-9, 202, has been only a wide receiver in the NFL.
In last week’s season opener, Price was inactive because of injury and he was unlikely to be able to practice this week. Battle played only on special teams. In fact, he was on all four kicking units, so the Chiefs will some changes in their teams this week.
Haggans for Price doesn’t bother me but it’s unfortunate that we have to cut a quality back and special teamer in Jackie Battle because Thigpen is god awful. Thigpen needs to get released as soon as Croyle is healthy again if not sooner. Haggans can be the number 3 emergency QB for a couple of weeks anyway.
Bob,
Did we see something in Martin that Tennessee did not? Is it not possible that their QB is to be down a few weeks and his services would be needed there? Or do they have several QB’s to spare?
who knows what KC sees in Martin. It all seems a little strange. Why 4 QBs? especially when you remove Battle to do it. If Huard goes down we’re F’ed either way. I say they should have stayed with Huard and Thigpen with Haggans as the emergency #3 and left Battle on the roster for special teams. That way, Price could clear to the practice squad and stay there for 3-4 weeks and get himself healthy. Then Croyle comes back and Price replaces Haggans.
The rumor is that the Chiefs had Chris Simms in for a workout, and the Titans called him and they agreed on a contract pending passing a physical. He subsequently signed with them.
So did the Chiefs sign Martin to spite the Titans, since this QB move came out of nowhere for the avg fan (and since the only 2 qbs publicly brought in were Rattay and Simms).
Just an update on what I learned on Tuesday:
Chiefs were not going to sign either Simms or Rattay after watching them work out.
The Chiefs reached out to Daunte Culpepper to take his temperature, but he wasn’t interested in anything short term.
The Chiefs personnel department really liked Martin coming out of college, so he isn’t just a grab a name out of the bag guy. They’ve watched him in the pre-season for two years and like what they’ve seen.
They could not bring Martin in for a tryout, because he was on the Titans practice squad. Essentially, he’s going to get a three-week tryout.
What the Titans do at QB is a completely different situation than the Chiefs … they have already rebuilt. Their goals are very different right now.
I think these moves tell us that Croyle will miss a minimum amount of time. Tests results show no damage to ligaments or his labrum, and he’s already showing signs of improvement with near round the clock rehab.
Don’t view Hagans as a QB … view him as a receiver and a guy who could throw a pass every now and then.
Battle played OK on special teams, nothing great last week. Among the five halfbacks, he would be No. 5, since Savage can return kicks and punts.
Yes Battle and Price can sign with another team off the practice squad, but the same rules apply for them as with Martin; they would have to be on the active roster for three games.
I like Thigpen a lot, and think he has a great future. Huard has some good assets, but moving around isn’t one of them; Thigpen can give you that. I think Thigpen just plays alittle too reckless for Herm right now. Hopefully, they can get the run game going, or Huard will get killed. Battle is a good player, but I think he’ll clear waivers. I’m not so sure about Price; he’s got speed and hands. Somebody might snatch him up. I don’t understand hanging on to the guy for a year, watching him play very well in preseason, only to expose him now. Hagans better be something special. Anyway, I hope Brodie makes it back soon; I still want to see what he can do.
Hagans also has experience as a returner. I’m still on the bandwagon to cut BJ Sams. He has no position and he splits the return duties with Savage. What a waste of a roster spot! I’d rather take my chances with Savage full time since he can also contribute on offense if needed. Sams is ok, but he’s not an elite return man anymore from what I’ve seen.
Thanks for the updates Bob!!
I agree on Sams. Unless he outright wins the return specialist battle he is a waste of a spot, a valuable spot being one of fifty three. How long until they make up their minds on this?
One more valuable spot is taken by Nap Harris. Bob, with his non value as a special teamer and current status as a Game day inactive backup, could we persue a young LB like Derrick Pope, Abdul Hodge or someone else the personell staff and coaches like or is Harris on the roster becuase of his large contract. Any insight on Harris would be great Bob!!
Keep up the great work. I enjoy all the coverage and also the updates the day of and after the actual game. Your film work breaking down the coaches tape is also a very unique view we wouldn’t get otherwise, so thanks for that too!
Bob,
We have all thanked you and will continue to thank you for your insight and coverage.
I also would like to give you extra praise for allowing us fans to sound-off with our Q&A to you!!!
This is a One-of-a-kind websit!
Thanks a billion.
Bob,
Great web site, good imformative news and good insight into the game and coaching. I like coming to this site as the people on here really seem to care about the team and leave good insight and not negative responses about how bad thing are, and to trash each other. Thanks and keep up the good work, GO CHIEFS!
For what it’s worth, I noted Ingle Martin’s skill a couple of years ago during the NFL Network’s coverage of the Combine. Martin hit every pass he threw that day. Every one of them.
Even the TV guys were noticing and stated that Martin’s mechanics were excellent and that he should be getting some favorable looks by all the coaches in attendance. After that, I lost track of the guy, until now.
Thanks for the Update BoB!
so Price and Battle cleared waivers and are now on the PS?
Great site. Just found it. Much needed and we miss hearing you in gameday broadcasts. finally a place to talk without all the negativity
thanks for the update Bob, Glad to hear Culpepper wasnt a real option, and Martin is quite the athlete. I do believe Maurice Price is a player however-
I do not really understand the Martin move. OMG, what if Huard get hurt. Thigpen is not ready to lead a team and Martin, no matter how much the Chiefs liked him, well he has no knowledge of what is going on, like me.
As an outsider it looks like, Brodie is the man, the only man, whether he is healthy, capable, or able to the KC Chiefs
B.J Sams- 2 returns for a total of 50 yards with a 25 avg and a long of 31 yards
Dantrell Savage- 2 returns for a total of 48 yards with an average of 24…..Longest is 24 yards
I think that Savage is a good player and is more of a dual threat than Sams but if you look at the Stats of the first week and preseason Sams has better numbers and is better at punt returns than Savage Sams has not done a terrible job
Hey Bob please answer one question for me. Has Brodie not had enough chances. Is a passer rating in the 60’s and the fact that he missed over half of our best chance to beat a quality team this year because of a routine hit not enough? If Herm is still thinking Brodie has a chance of being a servicable NFL QB then it’s time to change head coaches as well as QB’s. And this comes from a huge Herm fan.
jonsey, It wasnt the hit (wich was a pretty solid shot) that put Croyle out, it was the guy landing on top of him that put him out. I’ve seen that happen several times in the NFL. I’d like to see all these guys talking about Croyle not being tuff enough to play the game take a shot like that.
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