Position Review: Wide Receivers
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! Events may 
change the picture at any position over the next two weeks.
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Let’s focus on wide receivers.
Currently, the Chiefs have 10 wide receivers on their roster. In his first two seasons, Edwards started the season with five wide receivers on the opening roster. But in both of those cases, the player handling returns in the kicking game was listed as a wide receiver: Dante Hall in 2006 and Eddie Drummond in the 2007 season. That may not be the case this season, as right now it looks like RB Dantrell Savage may be the return guy. Veteran free agent B.J. Sams has been working at wide receiver and he still has two games to claim the returner’s job.
Keep in mind the obvious formula in the NFL: 25 on offense, 25 on defense and 3 special teamers makes for a 53-man roster. Generally, the roster has 13 players at wide receiver/tight end/running back.
Dewayne Bowe, Devard Darling and rookie Will Franklin have the top three spots at wide receiver. Bowe and Darling have been running as the starters, with Franklin the first guy off the bench when the offense goes to three wideouts.
It’s a big battle for the fourth and possibly final spot. Jeff Webb, Maurice Price and Bobby Sippio are part of the discussion. Price should have an edge because he provides the Chiefs with something they lack at wide receiver and that’s speed. He’s also active on special teams. Webb started very slowly in training camp, but he keeps turning up in practices making big catches. Everybody knows Sippio’s story: no speed, great hands and work ethic.
Both Kevin McMahan and rookies Jabari Arthur and Sergiori Joachim have shown flashes of talent, but not enough to claim a spot on the 53-man roster.
I guess Kevin Robinson will be PUPed and won’t be a consideration for WR/Returner until midseason at this point? Or will they just IR him and wait until next year?
only 4 WRs? i don’t see how Price CAN’T make it. I would love for Sippio to make it, but the Cardinals game was obviously not a good one for him.
The biggest problem we have at WR is that other than Bowe and Gonz, we don’t currently have anybody that opposing defenses take seriously. Anquan Boldin appears to be unhappy where he is and he’s the right age – why not take a look at him?
Seriously, if we can get one more receiver that defenses must respect then that will help open up both our running game and passing games. It also could give us somebody longterm to fill Gonz’s shoes when he leaves. Our young secondary would also get better by having to practice against a guy like him everyday. Just my $.02.
Btw, great job on the blog Bob. Lots of great info. Keep up the good work!
This whole Devard Darling thing is really frustrating..What has the guy done actually..Is he really the second coming of Eddie Kennison..Come on, he had four season at Baltimore to prove he had something (does baltimore even have any good receivers) and he didn’t..Price is 4-5 years younger and has proven much more in preseason games at this point…I mean has Darling just been amazing at camp or what..I hope so, cause it seems we’re just giving a position to him cause we signed him in the off season..Put Franklin as #2, and Price as #3 and lets build a very young WR unit that will blow people away in a couple years..
You know, I think the receivers we have now WILL blow people away. It seems like you have a different personality from one wide receiver to the next. I mean you have height in Bowe, speed in Price (should he make the team), a middle of the field man in Franklin, and a decoy in Darling. Now you put in Gonzales and Cottam at either end and now you have a full complement of targets. Old, young, aggresive, and tough. If the pass protection plays like it has in the (first half of games) preseason, it might actually be a fun year to watch.
T Carlton I hope your right..I think people are going to be very surprised with our offense this year..I’m sure we’ll struggle at times but we have so many weapons and talent its ridiculous. Cottam is going to add a lot..If Franklin, Price, or Darling end up really stepping up then this will be quite an offense..Larry Johnson is gonna be great..Kolby and Charles certainly bring a lot to the table…Our weakness is still our line which can limit things and we still don’t completely know Brodie yet..But this team is easily better than last year..Funnny how everyone seems to be thinking we’re going to winning 1-4 games this year.
I know if we win 1-4 games then the coaching staff should be the ones getting a makeover. Out with the Herm and in with the Bill Cowher, and beleive me I will be the first one to join the Bill Cowher for Coach fan club. But in all seriousness Michael, if the offensive line can maintain any form of toughness, we will surprise some people and it may start as early as week one.
The Chiefs will have made an excellent decision if they keep Maurice Price. I’ve known him since high school. Outstanding young man on and off the field. He is only going to get better.