Position Review: Linebackers
Over the next 10 days, I will take a look at each position on the Chiefs and where I think the roster decisions are headed for the regular season. My conclusions are based on what I’ve seen during this pre-season and what I know about the Chiefs and what they are trying to create with this 2008 team. But just remember, these are my guesses, so don’t commit them to stone!Â
Let’s look at the linebackers.
If there was one position where the Chiefs may be active on the waiver wire the day after the final NFL cutdown, it will be at linebacker. In his first two seasons with the Chiefs, Herm Edwards has kept seven linebackers. Right now it’s tough to find seven backers who have performed well enough in this pre-season to deserve a roster spot.
Count on Derrick Johnson, Demorrio Williams and Pat Thomas to be there as the Chiefs starters. Williams will not play over the rest of the pre-season because of a broken bone in his hand, but the Chiefs expect him to be ready to play in the season opener.
 Also count in veteran Donnie Edwards who continues to rehab his hamstring pull and should be back on the practice field next week.
That’s four; it’s a struggle to find two or three more. Among the remaining LBs, rookie Wes Dacus has the best shot at making the final 53. He’s running fifth now, moving up to the starting group in Wednesday’s practice when Williams could not go with a finger injury. Dacus may get the start this Saturday against Miami.
Oliver Hoyte, LeRue Rumph and Steve Octavien have not been consistent enough in the pre-season to warrant a spot on the final roster. Rumph and/or Octavien could end up on the practice squad. E.J. Kuale has performed primarily in the kicking game.
And that leaves veteran Napoleon Harris. This will be an interesting call for the decision makers. Harris was a disappointment last year and he lost his starting job at middle linebacker early in training camp. Since then he’s been battling a knee injury. He would provide an experienced backup, but he would not be much help on special teams and the backup linebackers have to contribute in the kicking game. If he were not an unrestricted free agent signed last year, there’s no way he would make the team.
This underscores my surprise during the offseason when the Chiefs seemingly showed no significant level of interest in trading for linebacker Jonathan Vilma.
Vilma is young, fast and athletic. He was drafted by Herm Edwards’ regime at the New York Jets, and played at a Pro Bowl.
Vilma’s effectiveness dropped when the Mangini coaching staff changed the base defense to a 3-4, and Vilma eventually fell prey to injury.
When the Jets were shopping Vilma around for a trade, I thought for sure the Chiefs would be interested, but Vilma ended up being shipped to the Saints for a 2nd-Round pick.
Yes, I understand that trading a 2nd-Round pick in the draft would have kept the Chiefs from getting Brandon Flowers, so in hindsight it looks as though the correct decision was made by the Chiefs.
But…how good would Jonathan Vilma have looked in Chiefs red?
—Tim
Hopefully better than Kendrell bell did =)
No profound comments from me. Just want to again let Bob know how much this blog is appreciated. Thanks again, Bob.
I am not a football guru… Forward thinking is how you suceed in anything. So lets forget names and put the right players on the feild. My son’s team has no names on the back……… thay all play for the name on the front of the jersey. So lets see if Herm puts the right chiefs on the field? If they can hit like the “Honey Bear” (63)
or “The Rock” then play them.