Chiefs RBs in for a Shake Up With Kolby Smith Returning Next Week

by Joel Thorman on Oct 13, 2009 7:00 AM CDT in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

Remember Kolby Smith? The Kansas City Chiefs 5th round draft in 2007? Well, if you recall, he was injured last year in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and after the game Herm Edwards announced that he was likely done for the season with a knee injury.

He rehabbed all offseason, usually in what's been dubbed 'No man's land', the area off to the side of the practice field. He was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list towards the end of the offseason, which means he doesn't count against the 53 man roster for the first six weeks.

Click here for a little more information on Smith from Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star.

When Smith is available to the active roster, I would guess the Chiefs would want to see what he's got, meaning he could hit the practice field for a while. If that's the case, then someone, very possibly a running back, will need to be released.

I can't imagine a scenario where the Chiefs keep five running backs and cut another position group. The fourth running back, usually Dantrell Savage or Jackie Battle, has been inactive a few times this season. Many times, the depth chart doesn't even matter. Last week, Savage was the third back, Battle the fourth and Savage was inactive.

Battle's big advantage comes on special teams. Over the offseason, Chiefs coach Todd Haley stressed the importance of special teams, and it appears Battle has taken advantage of that. Advantage Battle? Possibly.

That would leave Savage and Smith battling it out for one spot, if the Chiefs decide to keep only four running backs.

We'll see how things shake out, but I thought this was important to bring up, especially after Battle was promoted above Savage on the depth chart yesterday.

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....Wildcat....

I say keep them all and put them all on the field at once…wildcat style. Johnson taking the snaps, Charles and Savage on both sides of LJ…Battle and Smith lined up as Wideouts….think of the plays you could do there. hahaha

by Chiefsfan85 on Oct 13, 2009 7:06 AM CDT reply actions

Ugh...Smith

If anyone deserves to be cut from the group, it’s Smith. 2.9 yards per carry last season. He had a couple of decent games back in 2007 and for some reason that’s been parlayed into a three year career.

Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Predictions for 2009

1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
6. The Chiefs will go 7-9 in 2009, good for 2nd in the AFC West. Revision: We go 5-11 and finish behind Oakland.
7. Ryan Succop will not perform better in 2009 than Connor Barth did in 2008.
8. The Chiefs will have a bottom 10 defense this year.
9. RB will be a problem area this season on offense.

by UCrawford on Oct 13, 2009 7:09 AM CDT reply actions

Agreed

Never very impressive, aside from that Raider game.

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by Chris Thorman on Oct 13, 2009 7:17 AM CDT up reply actions

Tennessee As Well

He played well against Tennessee. Outside of those two games, he’s been a terrible player.

Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Predictions for 2009

by UCrawford on Oct 13, 2009 7:23 AM CDT up reply actions

He's The Jeff Webb Of Running Backs

Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Predictions for 2009

by UCrawford on Oct 13, 2009 7:23 AM CDT up reply actions

ouch... i lol'ed tho.

I really don’t think they are going to sit LJ… Haley seemed pretty happy with him according to the paper this morning. The whole offense is a mess, line sucks, and we’ve had more success passing. I don’t think Haley isn’t very concerned and as long as LJ holds onto the football (I’m looking at you, Charles), he’s going to get the rock on Sundays.

by jk86 on Oct 13, 2009 8:58 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm for giving Kolby a shot

if he’s ready to play. It’s just rare that an RB can have a knee injury and come back to play as well. And I don’t think Kolby can afford to lose anything and still be a solid player. If Haley thinks he’s worth trying, I’m OK with that. As far as cutting another position group to keep him on the roster, I don’t know why we can’t cut a TE and keep an extra running back. I think we’re better off having extra RBs over extra TEs.

Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. - Groucho Marx

by Big Chief on Oct 13, 2009 11:42 AM CDT reply actions