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Around SBN: Jeremy Lin And How The Pac-12 Missed Him

KC Linebackers

With all of the attention on so many of our rookies, we on Arrowhead Pride, as well as most fans and the major media, have primarily been focused on the offensive line, the defensive line, wide receivers and the secondary. The linebacking unit is the only unit on this team for which Herm hasn't Drafted. Shall we call it the Bill Belichek strategy? Or shall we call it a low part of the totem pole on a team full of needs?

Whichever way you take it, Gretz has a fantastic insider interview with Gunther Cunningham about the state of the thus-far struggling, shallow linebacking corps. This is an absolute must-read if you're concerned about the middle of the defense.

Two of the bigger revelations in the interview:

(1.) Demorrio Williams (who is playing the strong side with DJ on the weak, depth chart fans!) has been given better chances to rush the passer.  He's even been lined up at DE in the two-minute defense, and apparently has devastated McIntosh in the process. Gretz has done nothing but rave.

(2.) Newly re-converted LB Oliver Hoyte has just made the 53-man roster. Of course, Gunther did not say as much, but Gunther has gushed about Hoyte's performance on special teams, which is the harbinger of who makes the roster if you're on the bubble. Scribble it onto your depth charts right now: Hoyte makes the team. Probably as a reserve special-teamer, but who knows? Apparently he's a camp favorite.

It's really hard to determine who's going to be on the final 53-man roster at this position when the smoke clears. Every single year during the Herm era, the Chiefs have taken a couple UDFAs at this position due to their special teams performance -- I expect this year's version to be the same.

So let's sort out the LB depth chart together, after the jump.

Star-divide

Here's the mothership's depth chart if you need it right now. It's unlikely the Chiefs will carry more than six. Durde will definitely be the foreigner the Chiefs retain for the practice squad, and there might be another player that survives on the practice squad as well.

Definitely in: OLB Derrick Johnson, MLB/OLB Donnie Edwards, OLB Demorrio Williams, MLB Pat Thomas

Good buzz: OLB Oliver Hoyte, OLB LeRue Rumph

Bad buzz: MLB Napoleon Harris

Foreign player: OLB Aden Durde

Lost in the mist: OLB Steve Octavien, MLB Weston Dacus, OLB E.J. Kuale

As of now at this obscenely premature hour, I believe Hoyte makes the team for special teams purposes alone. I also believe Rumph makes the team because I think Herm's a homer for guys he personally knows (Rumph was a close friend of Herm's son growing up). I believe that Harris will be among the three or four cuts we're likely to see in a week or two.

Who's going to be a prospective practice squad guy? What have you heard? Am I full of it on who might make the team? Fill me in, folks.

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I don't think Herm keeps guys just because he knows them

I think that he gives guys he knows a shot, but if they don’t perform, he doesn’t keep them around.

by ChiefDJ on Aug 11, 2008 6:02 PM CDT reply actions  

disagree

Jeff Webb was not kept in place of anyone better last year – he was equally as sucky as everyone except Bowe. Now we have improved talent at the WR position, and Webb has fallen down the depth chart.

by PVChiefsfan on Aug 11, 2008 8:18 PM CDT up reply actions  

Disagree

Rod Gardner was better then Webb. Since he was cut in part due to his history of being a lazy ass after making a roster we really can not hold it against Herm. If we lose Price because of Herm’s love for his son’s friends then we can hold it against him.

by klindeman on Aug 11, 2008 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions  

Between Gardner and Webb

I guess they went with youth and potential over age and busted assedness =)

by PVChiefsfan on Aug 12, 2008 11:32 PM CDT up reply actions  

Actually

My two words would be “Eddie Drummond”. That worthless pile apparently stayed on our roster (and continued to play at the end of the season) largely because he had a personal relationship with the special teams coach. The info on that came from Whitlock, of course, but whatever reason they were keeping Drummond around obviously had nothing to do with on-field performance because he thoroughly reeked.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Aug 11, 2008 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions  

Dacus over Rumph

I am going to listen to Gun and say Dacus makes the team and trying to get Rumph on the practice squad.

by bgrip12 on Aug 12, 2008 2:09 PM CDT reply actions  

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