Tuesday Cup O’Chiefs

Understand that Andy Alleman and Ikechuku Ndukwe are not Pro Bowlers. They do not arrive on the Chiefs roster riding white horses and promising better times are ahead.

These two offensive linemen acquired from the Miami Dolphins on Monday for an undisclosed draft choice in 2010 are journeymen. The Chiefs are Alleman’s third team and Kansas City is the fifth stop for Ndukwe.

But they are also an example that when things are not going well, Pioli/Haley is not going to sit back and shrug their shoulders. They are going to get some players to help fill in the shallow areas on the roster.

To make room for them, the Chiefs released C/G Brian De La Puente and OLB Vince Redd. Scout.com reported Monday night that Redd has been suspended for the first four games of the regular season by the NFL. No reason was given for the suspension. Generally a punishment of that length involves using substances the league considers performance enhancing.

Ndukwe (left) reportedly is going to get his first shot at playing right tackle, a position he hasn’t played since college. Alleman (right) will get a chance to compete at center and right guard. It’s that right half of the offensive line that has struggled in two pre-season games, especially last Friday night against the Minnesota Vikings.

There are a lot of offensive lines that will struggle with the Vikings, but Minnesota was without two of its best defensive linemen for that game: Jared Allen and Pat Williams. Still, QB Matt Cassel had to run for his passing life and with the exception on an 18-yard run by Larry Johnson, there was no running room created by the Kansas City blockers.

This is not a blockbuster trade.

Alleman and Ndukwe were in danger of losing their roster spots in Miami. This is simply a situation that for the right price two players can come in and compete for playing time. Right now, there simply isn’t enough competition for the roster spots along the offensive line.

Competition is what Pioli/Haley seek right now.

“We’ve had scouts at every pre-season game,” said Haley. “All those games are being watched. In one of my early meeting with the players I had the scouts stand up and I said how many games are you going to be at? I told (the players) you’re not competing with just the guys in this room, you’re not competing with just the guys at your position. You are competing with every player in the NFL and maybe some other leagues out there. They know that.

“We’re studying everything that’s going on and our scouts are chomping at the bit when these tapes come out. We’re looking because some of these guys are going to get released. Everybody can only keep 53.”

A little bit about both guys, starting with Ndukwe who has the best chance to crack the first offensive line if he gets a chance at right tackle.

NDUKWE

He is 27 and born in West Virginia but raised in Ohio. His parents are immigrants from Liberia. Ndukwe signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted college free agent in 2005 out of Northwestern. He then went to Washington, Baltimore, Miami and now the Chiefs. He started 15 games for the 11-5 Dolphins last season at right guard after Donald Thomas broke his foot in Miami’s season opener.

Ndukwe played four games in a reserve role at right tackle during the 2001 season at Northwestern. The next year, he moved to left guard where he was a two-year starter for the Wildcats.

With the Saints, he spent four games on the New Orleans practice squad at the start of the 2005 season before he was released. Ndukwe was signed by the Redskins, and spent seven games on the Washington practice squad before dressing for the final two games of the regular season and the Skins’ first game in the playoffs. He did not play in any of those games.

The next year it was four weeks on the Washington practice squad, before he signed with Baltimore and spent 11 of the final 12 weeks of the ‘06 season on the Ravens active roster. He played in five games, mostly on special teams. Ndukwe spent 13 of 14 weeks during the ‘07 season on the Ravens practice squad, and was activated for just one game. He then signed with Miami for the season finale but did not play.

In the ‘08 season, he was pegged for reserve duty before Thomas’ injury got him on the field.

ALLEMAN

Alleman will be 26 in November. He’s a native of Akron, Ohio and started his college career at the University of Pittsburgh as a defensive lineman. He transferred back to his hometown and the Zips program, sitting out the 2004 season, but playing in 2005-06 as the starting right guard.

He was a third-round choice of the Saints in the 2007 NFL Draft, but he was inactive for 15 games as a rookie, dressing for one game, where he did not play. Alleman was released on final cuts before the 2008 season. That’s when Miami claimed him off the waiver wire, as did six other teams. One of those was the Chiefs.

He started the last four games of the ‘08 season after starting LG Justin Smiley was injured.

This trade does not bring great talents to the Chiefs. It does not bring experienced NFL starters into the personnel equation. What it brings are two guys that Pioli/Haley believe can raise the competition level for the first five on the offensive line. If these two guys can’t crack the starters, then they bring more experienced depth to a group that is lacking that quality.

Get used to a revolving door on the roster for the next three or four weeks, maybe longer. Players are going to be available because of roster cuts and the Chiefs will pick through that pile and try to find bodies that are more talented than what they have on the roster. Don’t be surprised if when the final cut comes, the Chiefs don’t cut all the way to 49 or 50, with the idea that they will add players from the waiver wire.

SIGNINGS, INJURIES & MOVEMENT AROUND THE LEAGUE

  • BEARS – lost DT Dusty Dvoracek for the season with a torn ACL in his right knee.
  • BRONCOS – claimed DB Antwain Spann on waivers (Bills); released WR Travis Shelton.
  • BUCCANEERS – placed LB Angelo Crowell on injured-reserve list; signed LB Bo Ruud and CB Darrell Hunter.
  • CARDINALS – lost OLB Cody Brown for the ‘09 season with a wrist injury that will require four to six months of rehab.
  • CHARGERS – agreed to a six-year, $92 million contract extension with QB Philip Rivers that includes $39 million in guaranteed money.
  • DOLPHINS – traded OL Andy Alleman and Ikechuku Ndukwe to the Chiefs for an undisclosed 2010 draft choice; released WR Ernest Wilford, RB Anthony Kimble, LB Orion Martin, WR Chris Williams, LB Tearrius George and DT Joe Cohen.
  • 49ERS – named Shaun Hill the starting QB for the regular season; activated DE Ray McDonald off the PUP list.
  • JAGUARS – signed LB Adam Seward; released LB Lamar Myles.
  • PANTHERS – signed S Kevin Kaesviharn; released WR Jason Carter; FS Charles Godrey undergoes surgery for a broken right hand and there is no definitive word on how long he’ll be out.
  • RAIDERS – signed LB Napoleon Harris
  • SEAHAWKS – agreed to terms with RB Edgerrin James.
  • TITANS – released WR Chris Davis.

FROM THE PAGES OF CHIEFS HISTORY

On August 25, 1961 the Dallas Texans beat the Denver Broncos 29-27 in a pre-season game held at Farrington Field in Fort Worth; it was the first pro game played in city. A standing room only crowd in excess of 21,000. Denver jumped to 14-0 lead, but the Texans scored four of next six TDs. RB Jack Spikes ran 21 times for 89 yards and caught three passes for 57 yards.

On August 25, 1988 the Chiefs fell to the Phoenix Cardinals 41-21 in a pre-season game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs got on the board first on a 62-yard TD run by RB Herman Heard, who finished the game with six carries for 82 yards. They also got a 2-yard scoring run from FB Larry Moriarty and a 46-yard TD pass from QB Bill Kenney to WR Carlos Carson. The Cardinals got two big plays, as Via Sikahema returned a punt 81 yards for a score and RB Jeffrey ran 80 yards for a touchdown. A crowd of 36,883 attended the game.


44 Responses to “Tuesday Cup O’Chiefs”

  • August 25, 2009  - Jim Lloyd+ says:

    With 32 team’s , 2 tackles , 2 guards , a center , that’s 160 player’s that have to play a game against strong fast LB’s , large hard hitting defencie ( like Allen ) lineman .
    Untill you are , knees bent , one hand down , and you know that you are not going win every battel when that ball is snaped , it’s hell from one play to the next !
    Does the anouncer ever go from play to play and say that guard or any lineman was unreal ?
    It is hard to find the best of the best in this high injury type of player , plus their weight has to balence with thier strength and after 2 or 3 play’s this all change’s unless they are the one of a few that are just that tough .


  • August 25, 2009  - findthedr says:

    The offensive line has been a problem for at least the last 3-4yrs. Other than Brandon Albert the team has not invested more than a 5th rounder at the position.

    Aldready many chiefs fans are wanting to draft NT Terance Cody in the 1st round in next yrs draft.

    I dont know when it became acceptable to ignore the offensive line while drafting 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rounders for almost every position on the defense.


  • August 25, 2009  - Herman Edwards says:

    It’s simple, findthedr. You draft to win the game. Hello? You draft to win the game. When you tell me that drafting defensive players with your first round picks doesn’t matter anymore, then get out. Because it does matter.


  • August 25, 2009  - Rip 'em a new one says:

    Bringing in Olinemen to compete is a good thing and I laud Pioli/Haley for not standing pat with what they have at present. And so it would seem that the Chief’s Oline is somewhat of a ‘living entity’, subject to continued upgrading and change.

    But, to be effective, at some point that has to change and stabalize with the best 5 guys playing together as a unit, knowing the other’s moves and tendencies and coming together as a unit.

    This desired outcome may not be realized by opening day, or even a few games into the season, but once it does stabilize, the Chiefs will be the better for it.


  • August 25, 2009  - Scott says:

    Rip ‘em,

    You’re right on. At least we’re trying to do something about it. Bringing in a couple of guys to compete can’t hurt. Keep the best ones…and get rid of the others.

    And you are absoulutley right about having the same group playing together. That makes a big difference.

    It all goes back to all those “holes” we had to fill. Can’t do it all in a matter of months. Hopefully, before too much of the season goes by…we can get a group on the O-line that can get the job done. They won’t be great…and probably won’t be good, or even decent. I’d take “adequate” at this point…because right now they stink.


  • August 25, 2009  - get real says:

    You draft to win the game, what a stupid statement. When was the last time the Chiefs drafted a starting QB, in their d@mned history. Jared Allen was a wonderful find but Peterson did not know what he drafted until the man starting playing. What about all the Def Lineman over the years? Hicks was the last draft pick who amounted to anything (not sure here we had so many Sims’). Draft to win the game, if you believe that, poor you.


  • August 25, 2009  - Scott says:

    Basically, you draft to get LUCKY. That’s how I see it. How many “sure things” aren’t? And how many good players are late round picks and undrafted FA’s? How many 1st round picks actually go on to do be great players? Some do. And a lot don’t. That goes for all teams.


  • August 25, 2009  - SG says:

    “SEAHAWKS – agreed to terms with RB Edgerrin James.”

    Sorry guys – he’s taken.

    “released WR Ernest Wilford”

    Another possible guy to bring in and look at?


  • August 25, 2009  - Jim Lloyd+ says:

    Scott——Your right on the money !
    The draft is like swing a stick in a bee hive , your TRYNG TO HIT THE HONEY !


  • August 25, 2009  - Josh says:

    Well, to me, it seems that the new regime came in, looked at all the horrible tapes of last year and saw teams run the ball down our throats. They then decided that the number one problem to address is defense. So this year, the attention was payed to that side of the ball. Haley is an offensive minded coach and believes that he can “coach up” enough to make up for the holes he can’t fill. After two games in the PRESEASON he realizes that the O-Line really is that bad. So he goes to Pioli and tells him to get some OL guys in for this week’s game. And what happens? The management works together and gets two goes who have a legitimate shot of making an impact. The one promising thing to look at out of all of it is that the GM and HC are working together to try and put a winner together. That is a very encouraging thing no matter how you look at it.

    And please don’t feed the Animals

    JB


  • August 25, 2009  - Scott says:

    You’re right, Josh. As bad as our O-line has been…it’s be the D that has cost us the most games the last few years.

    We have to stuff the run…#1 priority. If we can do that, the sacks will come.


  • August 25, 2009  - jimbo says:

    The new recruits have got to know that if they don’t perform or better yet out-perform what we have as competition on the Oline, that they are on the streets with little hope of finding a job. We have virtually nothing to lose & alot to gain.
    Pioli is raising the bar constantly & doing exactly what he preaches, no job is safe at this point. No decals on helmets, very few Chiefs players are comfortable right now. Which is great for us fans.
    Pioli gave up a nominal future pick (Which I am sure under dear old Daddy Parcell’s advisement)showing they have some worth on the open market. There will be plenty more Olineman available in the weeks to come. We can all agree that time together as a complete offensive unit is critical to our immediate future success.
    Hopefully we can get there sooner rather than later. Go Chiefs…


  • August 25, 2009  - Jon from Dayton says:

    “RAIDERS – signed LB Napoleon Harris”

    Sorry … I had to laugh at that. Hope he does as well for them as he did for us!


  • August 25, 2009  - Pollard49 says:

    well that answers why when redd would ask to go in on drills, they would send someone else in…this was on the UR website a few weeks back.

    Neither will start, but I guess considering how last week looked 14 passes, most quick, with 3 sacks….cant get much worse…


  • August 25, 2009  - SG says:

    “Pioli is raising the bar constantly & doing exactly what he preaches…”

    And the not-too-obvious thing that I know I have forgotten at times but we all have to remember is that they likely won’t use up a lot of their bullets this off-season – as they need them for the wholesale changes which will come for off-season 2009/2010.


  • August 25, 2009  - RedandGoldRice says:

    Check this one out. He could be the “future center for the next 5-7 years, and unlike the other 2 recently picked up OL, he sounds like he has a high tallent value.

    https://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Biggs-Packers-settle-on-offensive-line.html


  • August 25, 2009  - findthedr says:

    When it comes to the trenches, Defensive lineman are notorious for needing 3yrs to develop, while it seems offensive lineman are able to heavily contribute from their rookie yr.

    I would rather draft quality offensive lineman that can start (and play at a high level) immediately, and trade for defensive lineman that have been in the nfl a couple yrs and thus past the learning curve.

    The 2 lineman we picked up recently are probably better than what the chiefs could get with the draft pick(s) given up.

    Scott Wells is likely an upgrade, but might come at too high a price.


  • August 25, 2009  - Josh says:

    I will take that upgrade R&GRice – Niswanger isn’t the best and he really doesn’t have any competition.

    JB


  • August 25, 2009  - RedandGoldRice says:

    Me too, in a heart beat. With Wells and Albert anchoring the O line, and hoping Brown and or one of the other recently picked up linemen come through, we wouldn’t be far off from having a competative offenisve line to field. That would also give us many more options come April next year.


  • August 25, 2009  - Scott says:

    I agree.

    I wonder if Pioli is on the phone right now?

    What would Wells be worth to you guys?


  • August 25, 2009  - RedandGoldRice says:

    For Wells, I’d give up that extra 2nd round pick we got for TG. In a perfect Chiefs world, we’d only have to give up a 4th or 5th rounder for him, but I love that Scott and Todd aren’t willing to settle for just ok, or good enough for this year. Let’s go out and find the guys we need to be competatvie THIS year.


  • August 25, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    One team’s garbage be another team’s… garbage.

    Today’s object lesson – why the rich remain such & why when you’re the Chiefs it’s never a buyers market for you though a buyer you always be. Yes, the help wanted sign remains out KC, team in need of a lift, thumb up (but, trying they desperately extract it.)

    “Alleman and Ndukwe were in danger of losing their roster spots in Miami.”

    - here on the precipice of 0-16 2009 CST they’ll be nigh on (hoped for at any) saviors deux, just as & be the 2 football desperados brought them here. No honor among thieves, cost KC a draft choice, maybe more when the dust has settled; another feast for the Tuna…something for nothing.

    Yes even a poor man’s Lombardi be a genius today can look the part when he only hath need put one over on the NFL’s version of a laughingstock, KC Chiefs.

    Vince used to trade off his veterans to the NFL poor, in his case more often than not for ‘high’ draft choices. The difference was that his guys could play…Parcells are on the ‘bye’ side the waiver wire. Bill (who’ll never be confused for an Lombardi) hath only to take his pleonastics football sense down to the dump, come home with the other guy’s lunch money.

    Sucker’s are still born everyday; in Kansas City as a matter of fact, we’re always in labor…

    daddy-o


  • August 25, 2009  - BoJacksonFan says:

    i think this move might spell the end for our old buddy mcintosh.

    overall, it has to be obvious that these 2 new players are a vast upgrade over the 2 we released. whether or not they start, competition has increased.

    and rin, you are an idiot


  • August 25, 2009  - B in SC says:

    Bob is trying to lower expectations for these two and deservedly so. These two were obviously expendable in Miami and were probably candidates to be cut. We traded to make sure they didn’t sign with someone else. They are apparently not even good enough on Miami’s roster to be the 2nd team, OR the Dolphins have outstanding young talent on their team. Either way, this may or may not be an upgrade at all.

    Don’t get too caught up in the “play together” mantra. I would rather plug 5 guys with NFL ability into the lineup the day before a game than to have 5 guys who can’t block, but have played together…


  • August 25, 2009  - Herman Edwards says:

    I would trade six boxes of Fig Newtons for Wells!

    Hermy-O


  • August 25, 2009  - Scott says:

    If Pioli/Haley don’t try to do anything…some won’t like it.

    They try to bring a couple of guys in to look at…some won’t like it.

    It’s called damned if you do…and damned if you don’t.


  • August 25, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    & be damned! Are deux…no waiting.

    &


  • August 25, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    “BoJacksonFan said

    - unlike Bo, I dunno…”

    “i think this move might spell the end for our old buddy mcintosh.”

    - what insight! And do you also think that Jeff Webb will fail to challenge for a starting spot as well? (lol)

    “overall, it has to be obvious that these 2 new players are a vast upgrade over the 2 we released.”

    - ‘a vast upgrade’…’obvious’… heh heh heh – break out the “shell”’s – Bo’s “game!”

    “whether or not they start, competition has increased.”

    - yes, for the #1 overall NFL Draft Choice in 2010 between KC & DET…

    “and”

    - [ drumroll ]

    “Rin”

    - yes Mr. Tilt at Windmills/Miami refuse be one man’s trash is another’s garbage nee journeyman scrapheap non-NFL caliber football players thee?

    “you are an idiot”

    - how would you possibly know?

    &


  • August 25, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    [ rimshot/cymbal crash! ]


  • August 25, 2009  - Jim Lloyd+ says:

    Things were going OK untill he woke up—-


  • August 25, 2009  - Scott says:

    I guess the INTELLIGENT discussion is over for the day. It was fun while it lasted, guys.


  • August 25, 2009  - Uncuffed says:

    Obviously people should be realistic about this trade. However, for what should have been a very low draft pick, we just got a couple guys who started 19 games for a playoff team last year. It obviously improves our 80 man roster, and if even one of them makes the 53-man roster (probably both?), we’ve done ourselves a favor.


  • August 25, 2009  - Herman Edwards says:

    You BLOG to win the game! Hello? You BLOG to win the game!


  • August 25, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    Have won, as always…

    daddy-o


  • August 25, 2009  - Herman Edwards says:

    Rins got green eyes, peering up at me while he swings from my junk! Ahhhhhh, keep going Rinny ole Boy, you’re doing just fine!!


  • August 25, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    Paladin Rin: Have Gun, Will Travel…

    daddy-o


  • August 25, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:


  • August 25, 2009  - Josh says:

    Haley’s on Jim Rome at 1.30pm for anyone interested.


  • August 25, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    The Broncos show the Chiefs how it’s done/one up them once more.

    From rotoworld.com: Broncos Acquire Hochstein / Tue, 25 Aug 2009:

    Adam Schefter reports the Broncos have acquired OL Russ Hochstein from the Patriots for a late 2010 draft pick.

    A two-time Superbowl winning player as compared with the leftover scrap-heap pile that & eat out of

    Gee ’search’ what happened…did the Hoodie lock you out of the building NE again?

    &


  • August 25, 2009  - Kevin B says:

    I disagree with defense being the main reason we have lost games in the last couple of years. I think offennse and defense take equal parts as both have been bad over the last couple of years. Drafting D lineman is fine, but look at our O-line. We had the worst running game along with a very high sack to pass ratio last year, even with Thigpen running for his life. The longer the defense is on the field the worse they perform. a goo ddefense is symbiotic to a good offense. I think we should have drafted or traded for a right tackle this year. D-Mac has played like a disgrace at RT. Like others have said though. . . . . . too many holes.


  • August 25, 2009  - Herman Edwards says:

    And that’s what happen when you let me play to win the game!


  • August 25, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    roll: on Rome recap, ‘check’…’speaking’ -

    The guy doesn’t have a football clue one what he’s doing – but man can he DANCE!


  • August 25, 2009  - Jim Rome says:

    Rin Tin Tin – The guy doesn’t have a football clue one what he’s doing – but man can he DANCE!


  • August 25, 2009  - Jim Rome says:

    I got beat up by Jim ‘Chris Evert’ Everett. Man did he DANCE on my head!


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