The Slicing Begins At Arrowhead … Saturday Cup O’Chiefs
It’s the time of year where dreams are made and shattered, all in the matter of seconds. The NFL’s 32 teams are all trying to reach the 53-man roster limit by 3 p.m. CDT on Saturday.
Some get the jump on the whole process and move on. That’s what Arizona did on Friday, slicing down to the regular-season maximum and releasing all the names. Others like to drag things out and won’t make any moves public until after the deadline.
The Chiefs would land somewhere between those extremes, as they announced Friday afternoon that they released eight players. They may have released more, but they weren’t talking about anything.
And there was something to talk about in the first eight cuts. If you haven’t liked the play of the Chiefs offensive line in the pre-season then Pioli/Haley showed on Friday that they agree, as they sliced four blockers. That group included OT Damion McIntosh (wearing No. 77 to the left), a guy who has started 111 games in the NFL.
Three other linemen were released as well: T Fred Taylor, G Tavares Washington and C Eric Ghiaciuc. Also sent to the waiver wire were CB Londen Fryar, LB Corey Smith, FB Jed Collins and CB Travis Daniels.
Here’s a look at all eight cuts and the ramifications for the Chiefs:
McIntosh – When the Chiefs signed McIntosh as a UFA before the 2007 season, they viewed him as a two-year band aide at tackle. The idea was they would develop a younger tackle to replace McIntosh by the 2009 season when he would be a 32-year old, 10-year veteran. That was the plan that Herm Edwards had for the position. Last year, the Chiefs drafted Branden Albert and he’s become the left tackle. There’s been no development of a right tackle to handle the job. Even without an obvious replacement, that wasn’t enough to save McIntosh’s job on Friday. The decision was a bit of a surprise based on the fact the Chiefs look like they are going to be a team that relies on the running game and that’s something McIntosh can still do: block for the run. Against the pass rush, McIntosh is finished. He does not have the flexibility or the foot quickness to handle outside pass rushers anymore. He’s a liability for the passer. McIntosh has played 115 games with 111 starts for the Chargers, Dolphins and Chiefs, but there was no upside in keeping him.
Washington – He’s been banging around the NFL since the 2006 season, first with the 49ers and then with Washington. He was added to the Chiefs practice squad in September of 2008 and moved up to the active roster for the last month of the season. Washington ended up appearing on special teams in two games for the Chiefs last year. In camp this year, he missed over a week of practices with an unknown injury and when he got back to play, he struggled. Washington is 26 years old.
Taylor – Selected in the sixth-round of the 2007 NFL Draft, not the old coaching staff or the new one really gave him a chance to earn and keep a job on the offensive line. In two seasons, he played in 18 games, but saw offensive snaps in only half of those contests. Taylor worked at left and right tackle through practices, training camps and the like. There was a brief opportunity for him to take control of the RT spot early in the ‘09 training camp, but that moment passed quickly. Taylor will be 25 years old later this month.
Ghiaciuc – As one of the handful of experienced UFAs signed by the new regime in the ‘09 off-season, Ghiaciuc was a major disappointment. He was never really competitive when it came to challenging Rudy Niswanger for the starting job at center and he had fallen behind Wade Smith as the top backup at center. Ghiaciuc is 28 years old and in his fifth NFL season. He started with the Bengals, where he was a fourth-round choice in the 2005 NFL Draft.
Collins – signed with the Chiefs in January, after knocking around during the 2008 season with the Eagles and Browns in training camp and on practice squads. Collins never really showed much as a runner or blocker and he was inconsistent catching the football. He’s 23 years old.
Daniels – Another one of the first UFA’s the club signed back in March, Daniels was never really a factor for a roster spot. During the OTAs and training camp practices, he never advanced past the third team. A former fourth-round pick back in 2005 by the Dolphins, he also played for the Browns. Daniels will be 27 years old next week.
Fryar – The rookie free agent from Western Michigan never flashed during practice sessions. That’s something any undrafted free agent must do if he hops to stay in the league.
Smith – The rookie free agent from Cincinnati could not make his way up the ladder in the crowded room for linebackers.
SIGNINGS, INJURIES & MOVEMENT AROUND THE LEAGUE
- BEARS – lost RB Kevin Jones for the season with torn ligaments in his ankle; released CB Roderick Hood.
- BILLS – fired offensive coordinator Turk Schonert.
- BRONCOS – released DL Matthias Askew, G Kory Lichtensteiger, QB Ingle Martin, CB Rashod Moulton, OT Clint Oldenburg, DL Carlton Powell, LB Lee Robinson, WR Nate Swift and RB Marcus Thomas; placed G Matt McChesney on the injured-reserve list.
- BROWNS – released CB Tra Battle.
- CARDINALS – released G Trevor Canfield, LB Chase Bullock, FB Tim Castille, CB Jameel Dowling, DT Keilen Dykes, DE Alex Field, CB Wilfrey Fontenot, C Melvin Fowler, S Aaron Francisco, WR Ed Gant, LB Victor Hobson, LB David Holoway, WR Ourea Jones, DT Rodney Leisle, FB Regan Maui’a, G Carlton Medder, QB Tyler Palko, TE Leonard Pope, OT Oliver Ross, WR Steve Sanders and RB Chris Vincent.
- EAGLES – released TE Eugene Bright, LB Curtis Gatewood and DT Willie Williams; signed DE Jason Babin to a new contract.
- FALCONS – released S Eric Brock, CB Glenn Sharpe, G Ryan Stanchek, CB Tony Tiller, C Ben Wilkerson, WR Chandler Williams and OT Adam Speer.
- GIANTS – lost DT Jay Alford for the season with a torn ACL. Surgery was performed on Friday.
- JETS – released TE Kevin Brock, TE Jack Simmons and WR Marcus Henry.
- LIONS – acquired DB Ko Simpson from the Bills for an undisclosed draft choice.
- PATRIOTS – released QB Andrew Walter, LB Vinny Ciurciu, WR Robert Ortiz, S Roderick Rogers, DL Stephen Williams and G Billy Yates.
- RAMS – released OT Renardo Foster.
- SAINTS – have lost TE Billy Miller to a torn Achilles’ tendon and he’s done for the year.
- STEELERS – released RB Carey Davis, RB Isaac Redman, CB Anthony Madison, LB Bruce Davis, DT Scott Paxson, LB Donovan Woods and C A.Q. Shipley.
- TITANS – released WR Mark Jones, OL Jason Murphy, WR Phillip Morris, FB Casey Cramer and P A.J. Trapasso.
FROM THE PAGES OF CHIEFS HISTORY
On September 5, 1970, the Chiefs won a pre-season game against the Dallas Cowboys 13-0 at Texas Stadium. RB Warren McVea caught a 30-yard TD pass from QB Len Dawson and Jan Stenerud kicked FGs of 18 and 44 yards. The Cowboys had just 114 total yards on 60 plays, with RB Calvin Hill running for 87 yards on 15 carries. The Chiefs defense sacked Craig Morton eight times, with four of those by DE Aaron Brown. DT Buck Buchanan and DE Jerry Mays had two sacks each. LBs Willie Lanier and Jim Lynch had the other sacks. S Johnny Robinson had an INT.
On September 5, 1977, the Chiefs lost a pre-season game to the Atlanta Falcons 24-16 at Arrowhead Stadium. RB Mark Bailey caught a 29-yard TD pass from QB Mike Livingston for the only Chiefs touchdown. K Jan Stenerud kicked field goals of 30, 43 and 48 yards. Livingston was 13 of 33 for 171 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs.
On September 5, 1993, the Chiefs won the season opener, beating the Buccaneers 27-3 in Tampa. It was the first game in Chiefs uniforms for both QB Joe Montana and RB Marcus Allen. The star of this game however, was a Chiefs defense that allowed just 147 yards, including just 25 yards on 20 carries for the Bucs. Montana threw three touchdown passes, going 19 yards to WR Willie Davis, 50 yards to WR J.J. Birden and 12 yards to Allen. Overall, Montana was 14 of 21 for 246 yards. Allen ran 13 times for 79 yards. S Charles Mincy had an interception and LB Lonnie Marts a sack. K Nick Lowery added a 20-yard FG.
SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY …
Born on September 5, 1942 in Savannah, Georgia was CB Solomon Brannan (left). He joined the Chiefs in 1965 out of Morris Brown College. Brannan spent two years with the team (1965-66), appearing in 13 games. He returned 10 kickoffs for 250 yards and five punts for 10 yards. Brannan finished his career with 12 games with the New York Jets in 1967.
Born on September 5, 1958 in Los Angeles was QB Bob Gagliano. He was selected in the 12th round of the 1981 NFL Draft out of Utah State. Gagliano played two seasons with the Chiefs (1982-83), appearing in two games and completing one pass for seven yards. He played in the USFL with the Denver Gold, and returned to the NFL in 1987 with San Francisco during the players strike. Gagliano then spent two years I n Detroit and two seasons in San Diego.
Born on September 5, 1960 in Houston was DE Eric Holle. He was selected in the fifth round of the 1984 NFL Draft out of Texas. Holle played four seasons for the Chiefs (1984-87), appearing in 56 games with seven starts. He finished with 2.5 sacks in limited playing time.
The biggest Chief’s news this weekend won’t be who is cut but those players acquired either off the NFL scrap heap or through a timely trade. Some possibilities:
Trade Thigpen to Jax for OT Pashos?
Pick up TE Pope just realeased by AZ?
You’ve got to think Olinemen will be the order of the acquisition day in some form, don’t you?
Damion McIntosh was a cancer in this team. His attitude was very poor. His play poorer. Way to go coach!
LOl. Dan, I’ve never read anything about McIntosh being a cancer on the team. He played his entire career at LT and when the coaches asked him to move to RT (a major transition) he did. Then he participated in Haley’s OTA’s and conditioning program. There are plenty of interviews of him supporting whichever coach he has been under.
He was also correct to say that big lineman like himself are not cross country athletes or track starts.
That being said, He was never a great (or even good) run blocker, and now he is a horrible pass blocker. His career as a Tackle is now over, but he might still have the ability to continue to play in the NFL as a guard that isnt asked to pull.
In conclusion, we might not like a player or what he has done for the team, but their is no point in making up facts to support an argument.
Can’t disagree with any of the cuts so far. I was kinda’ hoping London Fryer would do better than he did, though. Maybe he can catch on somewhere else…and develop his skills to the point where they need to be.
I agree with Rip ‘em. It will be interesting to see who we pick up in the coming days. And even more importantly…will they be able to help us?
Who’s next? I guess we’ll find out before long. Good to see that Pioli and Haley are cutting guys (so far) based on their abilities to help the team…and not where they came from (guys they brought in).
And which of our QB’s will get the “ax” today?
Rip ‘em,
I think you’re right; the Chiefs have to be looking to trade for an OL.
Unfortunately I doubt Thigpen has much trade value given Thursday’s performance and the fact the Chiefs are probably going to cut a QB; we’ll see. I think the Chiefs are going to have to offer a more enticing player to get a quality O lineman.
Bob, his name is Herb Taylor….
I remember McIntosh making highlights on ESPN for springing Charles on a long run last season. He pancaked two defenders on the play. The camera follows the ball not the blockers. Without coaches tape we really can’t evaluate fully.
However after re-watching the Chiefs v Rams game it was obvious that McIntosh was going to get our QBs killed. He was easily beat to the outside several times.
I’m not exactly blown away by the current list of other teams’ throw-aways.
Why not use PUP with Zach Thomas? Tyler Thigpen? That will delay decision and allow them to heal. They have to be activated by a certain date, but it keeps healthy guys on the roster. If Thomas is done that’s fine, but he can still fill the Mike Webster role with this team. It desperately needs leaders in this tough time. And Thiggy needs to heal if we are going to get any value for him.
“I’m not exactly blown away by the current list of other teams’ throw-aways.”
I’m not either, but the more interesting ones are yet to come. I think a lot of teams are trying to get some value for the better players they don’t intend on keeping. Only a couple of teams have announced all their cuts.
Thomas and Tyler are not eligble for the PUP list. You have to have an injury prior to the beginning of training camp. Tyler is not injured and Thomas’ injury occured during camp. I think Tyler will be kept ,at least until Cassel is ready to go. Beyond that, I’m not sure. He may be cut. I think they’ll just keep Thomas on the 53 man roster until he’s read to go.
Will ‘Q’s po hands be saved by not so slo feets?
Will Ty me QB down mates be the case or Kangaroo Court of a sort Thigpen’s judgment?
Will a not so dynamic duo “Chicklets & Clippers” find a home in KC aft being washed out of Miami?
These are the questions that make the minds of men itch, a football sense. Well, not really… only in KC where the football be as marginal as the new management in the drivers seat…not so much Pontiac excitement as 0-4 train wreck.
Enough, can take no more this moment. Let us talk about nee speak of better times, as in it was the best of as twas the worst of…1970
That exhibition game (pre-season) ‘70 in DALL vs the Cowboys was a ‘little Superbowl’ sorts. The Chiefs were newly crowned World Champions, while Dallas was as ever ‘tomorrow’s Champions’ – like the Raiders thence referred to by many people as the best team in all of football yet ring-less & unrequited as such.
Old AFL v NFL same: DAL one of the marquee teams as KC, first meeting e’er between the two. Stram and his desire to win every game and the players still riding a Championship high…KC in a walk.
The Chiefs almost sleepwalked thru as in treated the 1970 regular season as anti-climax, much the same as they did in ‘67 aft coming off their 1st Superbowl game. That the Chiefs won a pre-season game against Dallas become immaterial whence, in the regular the Cowboys came to KC and dominated the Chiefs 27-16.
The one constant Texans/Chiefs franchise history is we have never been any example of consistency, success any more measurable terms of complacency as in placed than in aced finals football exam.
Still, yesterday be unquestionably better than this present day morass…e’er will be.
daddy-o
agreed, I like Pashos because we have no clear RT right now…and Pope is an upgrade and a nice red zone option.
Id move thigpen, now…he has no use to this team, keep matt and brodie.
Oh Rin, forgot…get that crow out…you will be eating some when Q Lawrence makes the team.
I don’t think we need to worry about stashing a guy or two on the PUP to keep a guy we drop from getting picked up. I doubt any of the young guys we drop will be picked up on somebody’s 53 man roster; therefore, we can put them on the practice squad if we like them. We aren’t exactly the deepest team in the league right now.
Rin says trade for hank baskett. Rin wants chiefs on second season of kendra
daddy-o
Alex K – I agree. I think Lawrence will make the 53 man roster. I guess there could be a trade for a WR, KR ,or somebody we pick up on waivers ,that might keep him from the 53 man roster. He is definitely a practice squad player.
Oh alex k, pull thine head out thou bum…you are in need functioning eyes as well ears – twas Rin told ‘you’ a week ago that ‘Q’ tip ‘mightest’ now by ‘default’ survive courtesy the injury Darling; may not still at any but, wouldst not any stretch the imagination do so based on his putrid display football evidenced to date…as e’er, Rin wins.
heh heh heh!
daddy-o
you dont win you moron…we had a back and forth on lawrence. ANY practice he dropped a ball, you would post it….
Sorry, but you lost this one, eat your crow…if you dont…then seriously whats the point in ever speaking to someone who not only thinks they are always right, and ignores it when pointed out that they arent, but who also flat out says Lawrence WONT MAKE THE 53 MAN ROSTER, then goes back on it and blames it on haley incompetence…
you sir, are a tool.
they have a show out now for that by the way. You reminded us of that with your love of Hank Baskett(he did have a good year)
you lose…you cant admit it…pathetic.
Haley will not bring in leonard pope. He is a slower version of Brad Cottam (neither of whom can block). Arizona fans are as happy to be rid of him as we are to be rid of McIntosh. There is a reason why Haley never had any nice things to say about the Arizona TEs.
https://www.nfl.com/players/profile?id=POP463366
https://www.nfl.com/players/profile?id=COT199521
Don’t be mad because Rin done whupped you again – tis an ample club of losers you retain membership in, as well the one Rin wields his hand narrative pen.
You be the epitome of wishy-washy: you hugged ‘Q’ to begin, then denied him aft; ‘I think he will I think he will’…then ‘no, now I don’t think so.’
You are woman… hear you roar i.e., ‘whine’… Rin is your better as always & willst e’er be.
Feel the burn!
heh heh heh!!!
Rin, as english professor, I thought you should know that your writing style, while highly grandiose and pompous, is, well, lacking substance and true creativity, to say the least. Instead, it is mearly loquacious, ostentatious, presumptuous, and all around priggish. Know what I mean, or will thine e’er learn?
As mine poetic license & your as the rest continued ‘rapt’ attention doth affirm, must read blogging is Rin’s – to be sure!
daddy-o
Oh, and ‘Prof’…wouldst not Rin be so presumptuous verily- only this as you opened that slippery slope by way your plea: english when juxtaposed professor is ALWAYS ‘English Professor’… make a note of it.
Just overbite- er, oversight your part am certain, as & their “any 22 willst do” err.
&
Released…
CB Jackie Bates
TE Tom Crabtree
DE Dion Gales
DE Bobby Greenwood
G Darryl Harris
WR Taurus Johnson
WR Ashley Lelie
DT Derek Lokey
S Bernard Pollard
S Ricky Price
LB Zach Thomas
RB Javarris Williams
WR Rodney Wright
Placed on IR…
G Colin Brown
Of the 14 cuts, 11 more are the hand-picked “any 22s” courtesy the comedy duo of & – their Chiefs not good enuf, whereas Herm’s be!
This IS Herm Edwards 2009 Kansas City Chiefs!
Currently 60% of the 2009 53 man roster Chiefs are Herm Chiefs! 32 Herm’s only 21 ’search’ & ‘check’ men – eheh eheh eheh!
“Hey Herm?”
“Yeah Rin?”
“I’m a pickin’!”
“And I’m a grinnin’!”
& “Heh heh heh heh heh heh heh!!!”
daddy-o
- AND – just as Rin stated Devard Darling’s injury allows ‘Q’ tip to sneak onto the team as the 53-rd & LAST Chief – Rin wins AGAIN!
heh heh heh!!!
Rin Tin Tin says:
“I’m a pickin’!”
A booger. And eating it. Yummy!
Anonymous lost the reverie yet another protracted episode transference his … it’s a vicious cycle he rides but it keeps him off main street…
heh heh heh