Chiefs Update 11/19
From the Truman Sports Complex
The spinning wheel that has been the 2008 Chiefs roster was in motion again on Wednesday.
Gone from the active roster are DE Turk McBride, LB Erik Walden and RB Dantrell Savage.
Added to the active roster were DE Andy Studebaker (top left), LB Curtis Gatewood (bottom left) and RB Jackie Battle.
Added to the practice squad was DT Antwon Burton. The Chiefs were expected to move DT T.J. Jackson off the practice squad to the injured reserve list because of a knee injury.
More importantly, the news of the day was that TE Tony Gonzalez did not practice with the team on Wednesday. Head coach Herm Edwards said it was a sore knee that Gonzalez injured last Sunday against the Saints that kept him out of the practice. Edwards does not expect the injury to keep Gonzalez off the field this Sunday against Buffalo. Over his 12-year career, Gonzalez has probably missed less than a dozen practices during the season. In that time frame he’s missed two games: one in 2006 with a shoulder injury and one in 1999 with a knee injury.
Also not taking part in the Wednesday practice session were WR Mark Bradley (calf), LB Donnie Edwards (hamstring/kne
e) and RB Adrian Jones (ankle).
Limited participants were DE Tamba Hali (ankle), S Jarrad Page (groin), CB Pat Surtain (quadriceps) and LB Pat Thomas (hamstring).
Back to full practice time were LB Derrick Johnson and CB Brandon Flowers.
Here are the details of the roster moves.
McBride went to the injured reserve list because of arm and shoulder injuries that he collected over the last two games. Walden and Savage were released. The Chiefs hope to add Savage to their practice squad if he clears waivers.
Battle came up from the practice squad for the second time this season. He’s been on the active roster for three games in ‘08.
Studebaker (6-3, 248) was signed off the Philadelphia practice squad. He was a sixth-round choice of the Eagles in the 2008 NFL Draft after playing at Wheaton College in Illinois. He was a Division III All-America selection and finished his career with 30 sacks in 28 games. He’s wearing No. 96.
Gatewood (6-2, 248) spent nine weeks this season on the Washington Redskins practice squad. He signed with the Redskins as a college free agent out of Vanderbilt, where he played 47 games and finished his career with 110 tackles. He’s wearing No. 52.
To make room for Burton on the practice squad, the Chiefs sent Jackson to the injured reserve list with a knee injury that will require surgery.
Studebacker and Gatewood become players No. 72 and 73 to be on the Chiefs 53-man roster this season.
Why do they now prefer Battle over Savage? Is it because they needed to prove Robinson was a viable KR option, and healthy, first?
Bob,
Why did Walden fall out of favor. He was a real bright spot on special teams early and was talked about as having a future at linebacker with the team. Now he is off the roster and not even mentioned as a practice squad signee.
I don’t have any problems with these moves. I’d bet Savage will clear and be placed on the PS. Walden started out great on special teams, but has disappeared lately. I still would like them to get CB’s Simeon Castille and DeJuan Tribble, sign them, so next year they would complement Carr and Flowers. I’d think they would have more upside then Colclough, Celestin and Macklin.
“Spinning wheel, spinning round, grab the painted pony and let the spinning wheel turn”….
This has got to be the season from HELL for ANY NFL team. Man alive.
Herm whines about lack of continuity as the cause of our special team problems, but he’s the one cutting guys like Walden, who looked great on specials. Just another instance of Herm trying to pin blame somewhere else when he’s the cause.
I don’t think Savage will clear waivers, Denver is looking for a back.
I like him I hope he go’s unnoticed but….
Watching Savage being indecisive while returning kicks really bugged me. Either hit the hole or go home! Or at least try to go to our practice squad…
Walden has disappeared or been flagged the last two games and the chiefs are so bad guys off the street look better. eyePod is correct about Savage.
Attention nutty thought - Local media is saying clark hunt has said recently he is very involved in his soccer interests, nothing about the chiefs? Is there a worse owner in the NFL?
I’d still say Al Davis is the worst owner in the NFL. He spends money (unlike our owner) but on the wrong players and he bickers with all his coaches. I’d rather have Hunt than the king of sweat suits.
I’d be surprised if anyone picks up Savage. He’s not very fast or strong. He and Battle may continue trading places on the practice squad this season depending on injuries. Buffalo’s return men are explosive and the Chiefs probably just wanted to go with Battle on the coverage teams. That’s an area that Savage doesn’t contribute to. Also, Robinson has looked decent so far. Now that he has two games under his belt, he’s ready to be the full time guy.
Bob, is there any way you can fill us in on what happened with Erik Walden? That guy looked like the next Larry Izzo on the coverage teams earlier this year, then disappeared and now is cut. Whahappen?
When will the Chiefs announce moving Herm to the IR?
Walden’s play slipped after he sustained a couple injuries. You’d think they would wait for him to come all the way back, unless he became a head case or something. I like Savage’s heart, and there’s nothing wrong with having a guy like that around the team, but I thought Battle should have been given an opportunity when LJ was out. Still should, he had a great camp. He’s a good special teamer, too.
The Chiefs needed a lot more speed and explosiveness on the returns, whether from Robinson, Colclough, Franklin, Charles, etc.
I really like the Studebaker pick up. Along with Carr and Johnston, he was among the small school players I hoped the Chiefs would draft. I know they brought him in for a pre-draft visit. Don’t know much about Greenwood or Burton. I do know they can use any Linebacker help they can find. With DJ back, will Boiman go to the middle?
Tribble and Castille would be good additions, but I’m still interested to see more of Colclough.
I do think the team has done a good job of bringing in young players with upside as the season goes on.
Battle is bigger, stronger, and faster than savage. He also has experience in the spread offense, was a red zone TD machine, and a pretty good short yardage back.
Savage is no big longterm loss. He wasnt anything special as a KR/PR , and we have better options at RB.
Michael,
I think Herm said the LBs in practice today were DJ, Boiman (MLB), and Williams. He seemed to insinuate that would be the starting lineup against the Bills.
Blah blah blah, wha wha wha find you sound like Charlie Browns teacher
Savage & Walden (Dustin’s owwees considered) were the only things ’special’ about KCs Special Teams this year.
Savage, Charles & Robinson have all been doing good work, Savage more so on KRs, Robinson same PRs, Charles solely KRs- none including departed Sams has done it better than Savage (his having most the KRs suggests he had coaches confidence, also the longest return, a 24+ yards per return average & also returning punts sans any previous experience…I’d say the rookie free agent did a remarkable job.
More a matter the numbers game than anythin else. Further proof being that KC’s also had six QBs on the roster this season (a Croyle, Huard, Thigpen, a ’slash’ Hagans, Martin and Gray.) They have 10 DBs now…all of this the result injuries. Wanna talk about the merry-go-round at DE & LB? Ditto for those positions. One bad set circumstances or bad turn begetting another…wails the coaches do cry “one disaster at a time, please.”
That Savage is now part of KCs musical chairs charade of - “now you see ‘em, now you don’t” (’on active roster’ & ‘off active roster’) is more proof said - circumstance being, the move was best bang for the buck team considered (a Robinson can return kicks, Charles too which frees up roster spot for battling Jack B who’s much a one-trick pony as Savage, but at moment the better power running backup in case Larry Johnson detours again - Battle is also special teams performer/non kick return guy; & as the season draws to close & other NFL teams ‘battle’ injuries, the greater possibility losing ‘Jack’ looms so KC is as well protecting themself from that possibility.
You’ll note Savage is still going to be (or twas hoped for at any) with the Chiefs on the practice squad where his replacement was afore (Jack being more NFL experienced a RB tween the two neophytes at this point.)
WR Jeff Webb is now but behind only the likes of rookies Franklin & Robinson & reserve Darling, in addition to Bowe and Bradley, yet on the team he remains - inactive weekly - ‘why’ being a friend the son Head Coach work wonders for a dissipating disappearing career? Appears possible, conspiracy theories abounding, for what does he provide?
Savage will be back as a Chief unless some other team gets him first…
Is that Andy Studebaker or Chad Pennington’s little brother?