Chiefs Sign a Receiver and a Long Snapper

by Joel Thorman on Apr 7, 2009 5:03 PM CDT Comment 59 comments

The Kansas City Chiefs announced the signing of wide receiver Rodney Wright and long snapper Tanner Purdum. No details of the contracts were released.

We first heard about the signing of Purdum on Friday. The Chiefs released former long snapper J.P. Darche on March 19th.

Purdum was a four year letterman with Baker University from 2004-2007. He caught on with the Baker coaching staff last season working with the wide receivers.

Coming out of Fresno State where he holds the school record for career receptions, single season receptions and yards, Rodney Wright was a 7th round draft pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2002. He dwindled around on their practice squad for a couple of seasons before catching on with the San Jose Sabercats of the AFL.

Does this sound familiar? He was highly productive in the AFL with over 4,000 yards and 42 TDs in four seasons.

Is it possible we have another Bobby Sippio on our hands?

At least Bobby Sippio didn't have the off-the-field problems that Wright did. Apparently, he was involved in a hit-and-run after being drafted.

Detective Robert Beckwith said Wright was driving a vehicle that struck a van and caused it to hit a post and burst into flames. The two people in the van received minor injuries.

Then, just over a year later, Wright was arrested on charges of DUI, driving without a license and making an unsafe lane change when he caused another accident.

Considering these incidents were over five years ago, it's unlikely we can draw any parallels to the Chiefs willingness to sign a guy like Wright and their willingness to keep a certain running back with legal troubles on the roster.

Shockingly, I can't seem to make the Pioli/Haley/Parcells connection with either of these players. It looks like our management team may be branching out a bit.

H/T Vince D in the FanShots

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"It looks like our management team may be branching out a bit"

I think they should branch out a little further

If you go out and you’re looking for the girl to wink at you and she hasn’t winked at you before 12 she isn’t going to. You might as well go home.

by craig in calgary on Apr 7, 2009 5:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think the're collecting bodies

for training camp. Let’s face it. we’re going to need about 40 more players before we hit training camp.

by choirboy on Apr 7, 2009 6:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think we can bring 80 with us

And these two (I think) will make 67.

by Joel Thorman on Apr 7, 2009 6:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So we're going to wheel and deal on draft day

and end up with 13 picks, right? =)

Marley will be walking soon...she could probably play Linebacker better than some of the guys we had.

by PVChiefsfan on Apr 8, 2009 7:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I love AP.

Seriously. I click on fan shots and see “Chiefs sign WR…” Posted 17 min ago.

I refresh the main page and there is a write up on it.

I’m very hopeful about Rodney Wright. I think he will be a great addition. Especially if Haley is as good at WR coaching as everyone says.

by The Steel City on Apr 7, 2009 5:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Please

Wright won’t even make final cuts. He was drafted in 2002…..it’s 2009. I wouldn’t get your hopes too high

by KansasCityShuffle on Apr 7, 2009 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

A lot of these guys are here for training camp and that’s it.

by Joel Thorman on Apr 7, 2009 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah Sorry.

I had him transposed in my mind with another WR.

by The Steel City on Apr 7, 2009 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did some more digging

And found that Wright doesn’t have a great driving record…

by Joel Thorman on Apr 7, 2009 5:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I like this

Wright can provide some competition in the return game (averaged ~20 yds/return on kickoffs in the AFL) during camp. He’s only 5’9" 180 though, which is why I see him getting more opportunity to see the field in the return game. I can’t tell if he’s got elite speed (generally AFL receivers need to be burners due to the mechanics of the game) without looking deeper though which makes it hard to evaluate if he can compensate for his size and enter the receiving game or be relegated to competing for KR/PR duties. As it stands, we probably won’t have room for him as a WR come August.

Purdum is an upgrade over Darche and should be a solid performer for us at LS.

by JHWK on Apr 7, 2009 5:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This Purdum interests me

My cousin played ball at Baker during those years. I’m gonna ask about him

by KansasCityShuffle on Apr 7, 2009 5:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Not even Herm

brought in competition for the long snapper.

Arrowhead Pride

by Chris Thorman on Apr 7, 2009 5:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Whenever you can create compeitition

It’s a good thing.

by Joel Thorman on Apr 7, 2009 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was at a Packers game in Lambeau a couple years back

I sat next to the wife of the backup long snapper and she was the hottest woman I have ever seen without hyperbole. Morale of the story: If you have mutliple long snappers, you will have hotter women in Arrowhead.

If you go out and you’re looking for the girl to wink at you and she hasn’t winked at you before 12 she isn’t going to. You might as well go home.

by craig in calgary on Apr 7, 2009 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

and thats not a bad thing

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Apr 7, 2009 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Since we are talking about hot chicks in the stands

I went to the angel game last night oooohhh myyy goood if you guys have never been to cali I would highly recommend going to an angel game there are tooons of hot chicks they pour in that place. By the way we kicked ass but the chicks are the cherry on top..

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Apr 7, 2009 6:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How many recievers do we need on our roster? we have 10 now!?! Even if they’re all training camp fodder, it’s still a little excessive. I’d gladly trade in Darling, Cooper, Wright, Webb, Jones and Robinson for 1 good reciever.

by jonnyu on Apr 7, 2009 5:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I like Robinson and Franklin...

but would like Holt or Edwards alittle better as far as FA….if you want to talk rookies, i would say Hayward-Bey or Robiskie (think i spelled that wrong.)

by Sea of RED on Apr 7, 2009 5:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Taking a WR in the first round of the draft

Usually isn’t a good idea.

by Joel Thorman on Apr 7, 2009 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Will Robiskie make it out of the 2nd round?

I’m thinking no, but I guy can dream.

PS – Sea of RED, I think you got the spelling right.

by RedNose on Apr 7, 2009 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I think the spelling is right

Not totally sure on Robiskie…I’ve heard late first, early second.

by Joel Thorman on Apr 7, 2009 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really want to see us get Robiskie.

"You said you was gonna take me to see Wu-Tang baby ...So I braided my hair, yes I did, cornroll and everything baby"

I don't have religion. I have Baduizm...and Billie Holiday.

by DThomasReigns on Apr 7, 2009 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

he’ll be a 2nd round guy, somewhere in the top half of it but 2nd round nonetheless.

I like Franklin and Robinson (the latter for the return game) but Crabtree is the only receiver I’d consider in the first round. DHB is a physical specimen but he’s too hit-or-miss at the next level. Harvin, Nicks, and Maclin are just a little beneath Crabtree and DHB physically but are safer than Bey with possibly a little less reward in my opinion.

by JHWK on Apr 7, 2009 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree with the rookies

Crabtree has a chance to be really good, but if I have to pick who I think will the be the best legit NFL receiver, I’ll take Hakim Nicks. He’s got the body, polish, hands, athleticism (If not 40 speed) and is a pure pro in terms of character. He’s the best mix of talent and competitor in the draft.

by RedNose on Apr 7, 2009 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

at WR, not overall

by RedNose on Apr 7, 2009 6:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nicks is definitely

a solid pick. That’s why I said he’s a little less risky than Crabtree (deep speed?) and DHB (HWS specimen w/o the skill to match?). Crabtree is simply the best athlete at WR in this draft. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a homer, I hate Tech just as much as anyone else in the Big 12 but Crabtree is far and away the best combination of talent and natural ability at WR in this draft.

by JHWK on Apr 7, 2009 7:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maclin is better than Crabtree IMO

I can’t think of one advantage Crabtree has over Maclin. Plus Maclin is a monster kick/punt returner.

by Vince D on Apr 7, 2009 6:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really think Maclin is going to be a liablility

He’s injury prone to start, and he’s been in the spread at Missouri (yeah, so has Crabtree, but I wouldn’t put too many eggs in his basket either) where he really didn’t need to do much in terms of route running. I see Reche Caldwell when I look at him.

by RedNose on Apr 7, 2009 6:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maclin never missed a start due to injury in the last 2 years to my memory.

I watched every Mizzou game.

by Vince D on Apr 7, 2009 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, maybe I jumped the gun with injury prone.

His injury this offseason was fresh in my head.

by RedNose on Apr 8, 2009 7:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Franklin didn’t show much in the little playing time he got and I don’t think Robinson is cut out to be anything more than a KR, which he sucks at anyway. Other than Bowe and Gonzo, Bradley is the closest thing we have to a starting reciever but I still don’t think he can be a solid number two. We really need a Crabtree or Edwards. And for those of you are calling Crabtree a future bust, well… hahahaha. Yeah, we’ll see.

by jonnyu on Apr 7, 2009 5:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Edwards

is a waste of time, picks, and money for us. Let him drop passes for someone else, we’ve got enough on our plate trying to get Bowe’s hands up to par before the season starts, why double our trouble and work on Edwards too?

by JHWK on Apr 7, 2009 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree

Franklin showed with what little playing time he received that he has great hands and is capable of making big catches. Robinson also showed promise and in little under half of a season he showed he was the best kick returner on our roster (which isn’t saying much, admittedly)

by KansasCityShuffle on Apr 7, 2009 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Franklin was incredible at Mizzou

You’d think though that if Franklin was #2 material, Herm would have put him there. Then again, maybe he was still not 100% from that preseason injury.

by Vince D on Apr 7, 2009 6:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really hope franklin breaks out damn that would save us a lot of time

in having a solid recieving corp

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Apr 7, 2009 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Haley ain't stoopit

He knows what talent he’s got and anybody he’s bringing in just more competition

by KansasCityShuffle on Apr 8, 2009 2:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As a rookie #2 might been a little early

Perhaps injuries reduced some of his playing time at the start of the season. We were still trying to see what Darling was made of and get a QB to stay healthy so I dont think a #2 would have made that big of difference. Wasn’t there a rumor at one point that he was slow in learning the playbook?

by KansasCityShuffle on Apr 8, 2009 2:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He has

a learning disability (not sure what it is exactly), but I am sure that changing the offense midway through the season didn’t help him adjust either.

My crystal ball says Jay Cutler cries himself to sleep every night.

by IISaiNtII on Apr 8, 2009 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess that makes sense why he dropped to the 4th round

I thought for sure after he left Mizzou he’d be a 2nd round pick

by Vince D on Apr 8, 2009 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think franklin.....

Would make a good slot guy, and maybe even 2nd WR if T.Haley can work his magic on him! We have 3 good WR’s and a damn good TE! Our passing game should be fine with what we have. I really think our offense is fine, other than a good Center(meaning 3rd rd pick) and a RT later on in the draft! IMO this team is only 4 or 5 player’s from being a pretty damn good team! If we only had our 2nd rd pick back, man that would be sweet!

by CPT.Caveman on Apr 7, 2009 11:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Herm?

Is that you?

Don't blame me, I voted for content of character.

by paratrooper on Apr 8, 2009 2:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Okay, does this count as a Pioli connection?

Pioli worked in Cleveland with current Fresno St. head coach Pat Hill and Rodney Wright went to Fresno St. while Hill was coaching there.

Arrowhead Pride

by Chris Thorman on Apr 7, 2009 5:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Apparently Belichick and Pat Hill are tight

That’s got to be the connection.

Arrowhead Pride

by Chris Thorman on Apr 7, 2009 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah thats true

But how many degrees to Kevin Bacon?

"...said he could'nt go on the American way"

by The Steel City on Apr 7, 2009 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Check and Mate Motherf*cker

Rodney White went to Fresno St. where Pat Hill coached, Pat Hill is boys with Bill Belichick according to Chris’ comment, Bill Belichick’s QB is Tom Brady, Tom Brady was in “Stuck on You” with character actor Googy Gress and Googy Gress was in “Frost/Nixon” with Kevin Bacon, that’s 5 son.

by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on Apr 8, 2009 7:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or if you like...

Bill Belichick eventually replaced Pete Carroll for the Patriots, Pete Carroll coaches at USC where O.J. Simpson played, and O.J. Simpson was in “Firepower” with Eli Wallach who was in “Mystic River” with Kevin Bacon.

by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on Apr 8, 2009 8:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mind=Blown

"You said you was gonna take me to see Wu-Tang baby ...So I braided my hair, yes I did, cornroll and everything baby"

I don't have religion. I have Baduizm...and Billie Holiday.

by DThomasReigns on Apr 8, 2009 9:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is fine...

…Whatever….

Bengals signed Tank Johnson…hmmmm

by woodman212 on Apr 7, 2009 6:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bad addition to an already bad locker room

by woodman212 on Apr 7, 2009 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why?

B Edwards couldn’t catch a cold!

by TerribleTerry on Apr 7, 2009 6:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Holy crap… Rodney Wright… blast from the past there. Wow.

Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more

by Brian Galliford on Apr 7, 2009 6:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

Pioli can find ’em outta nowhere, right?

Nah, he’s just sticking around for camp I would imagine.

by Joel Thorman on Apr 7, 2009 6:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Found Rodney's profile on Bulldog's website

And here is our 2009’s Bobby Sippio in a Wes Welker body .

by indianchief on Apr 7, 2009 6:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I was just scrolling down to say

Pioli is trying to find a new Wes Welker

"The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur." - Vince Lombardi

by Shawn on Apr 7, 2009 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

IMO...

The slot WR is very important, i saw alot game’s that the slot guy was the game breaker! Wes Welker is one of those type’s of guy’s you look for,im hoping that W.Franklin will become our slot guy of the future!

by CPT.Caveman on Apr 7, 2009 11:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damn...

how many WRs are we going to bring to camp. Its funny how HC put an emphasis on their previous position expertise. Like Edwards with DBs. If we draft a WR like Thomas from AZ we would have eleven WRs on the roster: Bowe, Bradley, Engram, Franklin, Thomas, Copper, Webb, Darling, Robinson, Jones and Purdum. I think we take 8 max and keep 6 on the 53 man. My prediction is Bowe and Bradley staring with Engram in the slot. Thomas would be the back up slot and kick returner, Franklin would back up Bowe and Copper would back up Bradley.

by I_Bleed_Red. on Apr 7, 2009 7:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs