Saturday Morning Cup O’Chiefs
From La Jolla, California
The Chiefs arrived here in sunny Southern California on Friday afternoon and there were a lot of new faces on the plane as the Chiefs get ready to play the Chargers on Sunday in San Diego.
It’s all part of the revolving door that has been the Chiefs roster this year.
Just this week the following players have been added to the roster: S Oliver Celestin, CB Ricardo Colclough, DE Wallace Gilberry, CB David Macklin, TE Michael Merritt and WR-Returner Kevin Robinson. That’s six out of 53 players who were not part of the crew that played against Tampa Bay last Sunday.
There’s a good chance that at least four, maybe five of those players will be active against the Chargers.
LB Rocky Boiman (right)will be in the starting lineup for the injured Derrick Johnson (hamstring). Boiman joined the team on October. 15. Plus, there’s WR Mark Bradley who has become the Chiefs starting No. 2 receiver; he joined the team on October 1.
That’s the kind of year it’s been for Herm Edwards and his coaching staff. Since the team settled on its 53-man roster with the end of the pre-season and the league mandated cut down, the roster has been in flux. Some of that has been planned by the Chiefs as they continue to search for more and better players for their young rosters. To read more about the churning of the roster, read the piece I wrote on kcchiefs.com right here.
Some of the moves have been caused by injury. Whether S Jarrad Page (groin), S DaJuan Morgan (thigh) and CB Brandon Flowers (hamstring) play on Sunday remains in doubt as the Chiefs will hold a short walk-through practice later this morning at University High School. That’s why Celestin, Colclough and Macklin will likely be active. There’s a very good chance that rookie Maurice Leggett will join rookie Brandon Carr as the starting cornerbacks, with Macklin playing the nickel back role.
And with the shoulder injury that DE Turk McBride is nursing, there’s a chance that Gilberry will get playing time along with rookie Brian Johnston.
Here’s how the movement has gone since that first 53-man roster:
- August 31: CB Tyron Brackenridge and LB Wes Dacus were released and G Brian De La Puente and LB Erik Walden were added
- September 9: RB Jackie Battle and WR Maurice Price were released and WR Marques Hagans and QB Ingle Martin were added.
- September 26: Hagans was released and Dacus was added back to the roster.
- October 1: KR B.J. Sams was released and WR Mark Bradley was signed.
- October 14: LB Napoleon Harris was released and LB Rocky Boiman was signed.
- October 21: K Nick Novak was released and K Connor Barth was signed.
- October 22: QBs Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard were placed on the IR list and QB Quinn Gray and P Steve Weatherford were signed.
- October 28: G Brian De La Puente was released and LS J.P. Darche went to the IR list and T Andrew Carnahan and LS Thomas Gafford were added.
- October 30: CB Dimitri Patterson was released and Brackenridge was added to the roster.
- November 1: DT T.J. Jackson was released and RB Jackie Battle was added to the roster.
- November 3: RB Larry Johnson began a one-week NFL suspension.
- November 4: Brackenridge, P Steve Weatherford and TE J.P. Foschi were released and Merritt and Robinson were added to the roster.
- November 5: RB Kolby Smith was placed on the IR list and Macklin, Colclough and Gilberry were added to the roster.
- November 6: QB Ingle Martin was released and Celestin was added to the roster.
That’s 18 players who were added to the roster at one time or another. With the 53 players, that’s 71 players who have been on the roster to date. So far 58 of those players have been active on game day and a remarkable 33 different players have started at least one game. Considering the current injuries that number of starters will likely grow to 36 if Boiman, Leggett and S Jon McGraw get starts against the Chargers.
The team’s roster and depth chart must now be done in pencil because there have been so many changes.
That’s the kind of year it’s been for the Chiefs.
FROM THE PAGES OF CHIEFS HISTORY
On November 8, 1970, the Chiefs beat the Houston Oilers 24-9 at Municipal Stadium. The Chiefs had just 221 yards of offense, but made it count with a pair of TD runs by RBs Ed Podolak (eight yards) and Wendell Hayes (one-yard). LB Bobby Bell had one of three Kansas City interceptions and returned his 45 yards for a TD. Jan Stenerud added a 39-yard field goal. Besides Bell, S Johnny Robinson and CB Emmitt Thomas also had interceptions of Houston QB Charley Johnson. Hayes led all rushers with 82 yards on 14 carries.
On November 8, 1993, the Chiefs beat the Green Bay Packers 23-16 in a Monday night game at Arrowhead Stadium. Down 9-3 at half-time, the Chiefs scored 20 points in the second half for the victory in front of 76,742 fans. The Kansas City defense allowed QB Brett Favre and the Packers offense just one fourth quarter TD, as they picked off three of Favre’s passes and sacked him four times. CB Kevin Ross and safeties Charles Mincy and Martin Bayless had the interceptions, with LB Derrick Thomas contributing two sacks. DT Dan Saleaumua scored on a 16-yard fumble return. RB Marcus Allen had the other KC score on a one-yard TD run.
OPPONENT NEXT/SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
The Chargers think being back at home will help solve some of their problems, plus an update on injuries.
LB Jyles Tucker has recovered from a hamstring injury and appears set to go full speed rushing the passer against the Chiefs.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
The NFL has fined DE Jared Allen $50,000for two hits on Houston QB Matt Schaub that they say were not legit. Allen plans to appeal.Â
CB DeAngelo Hall signed with the Washington Redskins; right now it’s a one-year deal, but both sides hope it turns into something more.
AROUND THE REST OF THE AFC WEST
Here’s a look at the Raiders as they head into the second half of the ‘08 season.
The Broncos problems at running back continue as they’ve now lost rookie Ryan Torian for the season with a knee injury suffered on Thursday night against Cleveland.
our offense will have to score alot of points and be abe to run the ball to keep San Diego’s offense off the field.
San Diego will attack our secondary, and I dont like our chances in that regard.
There is virtually no chance our defense will be able to slow the Chargers down, much less stop them. That’s not realistic with the lack of talent we had at linebacker exacerbated by the injuries, the lack of depth in the secondary that existed before Flowers, Morgan and Page became slowed at best for this game and potentially out, and the fact we have no ability to pass rush at this point in our developement.
As long as we get quality quarterback play, we’ll be competitive, but it is completely irrational to expect us to take a big step forward before next year and the ability to add to our talent/depth.
I find it fun to watch at this point because they’re getting better. Any wins from here on out are gravy.
There should not be a lack of effort though. There are a lot of players trying to find a home, I would hope that will at least equate to players playing their butts off. Maybe with that some good things will happen to offset the mistakes.
Having said all that, I am excited every Sunday to see what the Chiefs can do and who will step up. This rebuild has made this season fun in that respect. It has also been fun trying to keep up with all the personnel moves and it is keeping us fans on our toes. This team will slowly solidify and we get to witness that with the help of Bob Gretz.
Thanks Bob!
I have serious doubts about next year. What is solid on this team? We have a good rookie Left tackle, After that we have all first and second round picks on the D-Line who are almost last in the league in stopping the run. We have 1 solid LB in Derrick Johnson, and the bright spot of the defense….two promising rookie cb”s, and second year safeties. Our O-Line is suspect,) running back is good, and we have a decent WR and a great soon to retire TE. Oh and a good candidate for QB of the future. I think we are going to be lucky to compete next year.
well said MDchief.
Kevin, I think on Offense the chiefs are fairly set at the skill positions, but could use further upgrades in the trenches and stability at QB. Defense obviously needs improvements at LB. The D line is going to have to improve, but throwing more draft players at those positions might not be the answer.
Keep up the great work Coach Edwards. All of KC is behind you and we know that you will lead us back to glory very soon now.
AND NOW, Clark Hunt has affirmed Herm’s The Man!
The only you find diamonds in the rough is dig . KC has already been luckey , plus found players with that loyal stance . Even Herm seems to be more open minded , who knows , maybe we will see them only run on 4 & short ,aside from direct snaps to WRs-RBs –TEs , hes bring 3 of them , they are all big + can move . WATCH OUT !!
Kevin, I still remember when Neil Smith’s rookie year looked like he was going to be the biggest bust ever. Look how much difference a year makes between a senior and a junior in college. I think, if we didn’t change a single player between now and next year, you’d see a tremendous difference just because all the young guys are that much better. Add a playmaker at linebacker, an upgrade at right tackle and guard (either through addition or just by getting better within i.e. Richardson) I think we, as fans, sometimes have a perspective about as long as our noses- me too after the Carolina game.
MDChief,
I totally agree, although I think we could use 2 more LBers. Donnie probably won’t be with us next year.
If we could grab a young RG in free agency after this year for a starter and maybe a RT later in the draft I’d like our chances for next year.
We definately need a new MLB and then to some talented depth to bring along. I won’t start a war with my feelings on QB’s but I’m soooo excited with the prospect of having a franchise QB in the house.
We’re getting better every week. Even a guy like myself with no real football experience can see that.
If we could pull off some miracle and get a QB, RDE and MLB in the first day (however unlikely it is) I’d be estatic! (yes, I know I jacked the spelling there)
GO CHIEFS!!