With Roster Cuts Looming, Twelve Chiefs Don't Play Against the Seahawks

by Joel Thorman on Aug 30, 2009 9:00 AM CDT in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp

On Saturday I said we should be looking out for the Kansas City Chiefs that did not enter last night's 14-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. I argued that, with five roster cuts having to be made by Tuesday, the coaching staff probably knew who was going to get the heave-ho. Things like injury settlements might preclude Todd Haley from sending an undrafted free agent into the game who was unlikely to make the team in the first place.

Well, 12 Chiefs didn't play against the Seahawks and it's looking like, at least for a few of them, this might have been their last game in a red uniform. Five were due to injury and seven were unexplained.

Brodie Croyle also did not play but I did not include him on this list. His scratch was a predetermined decision by the coaching staff to get Tyler Thigpen more time.

First, the ones we knew were injured and hadn't practiced all week:

RB Kolby Smith
LB Zach Thomas
TE Jake O'Connell

No explanation on any of those injuries. Smith will likely start the season on PUP, Zach Thomas will be ready by Baltimore and Jake O'Connell is an unknown as well.

Then the two surprise injury scratches:

LB Derrick Johnson
FS Jarrad Page

No explanation on either of these either. Derrick Johnson missed a little time late in the week. Jarrad Page practiced all week and there was no indication he was injured.

Now, here's the list of seven other players, a combination of recent draft picks and undrafted free agents, who did not play Saturday against the Seahawks:

WR Terrance Copper
CB Londen Fryar
RB Javarris Williams
OL Colin Brown
DE Bobby Greenwood
OT Cameron Goldberg
OT Herb Taylor

Three names that wouldn't surprise me if they were on the cut list: Fryar, Greenwood and Goldberg.

They're undrafted free agents so they were long shots to begin with. Combine that with not playing in the third game of preseason and their stay in Kansas City appears to be a short one.

Four names that would slightly surprise me if they were cut: Copper, Williams, Brown and Taylor.

Terrance Copper has been running with the first team and, since the inception of the first unofficial depth chart, has been listed as the No. 1 wide receiver. Javarris Williams would be less of a surprise but he's still a '09 draft pick. Same goes for Colin Brown, who was a fifth round pick. He's been seeing time at right guard, the same position to which the Chiefs added more depth with the trade for Andy Alleman. Herb Taylor was drafted two years ago and hasn't developed like many thought he would.

With Tuesday rapidly approaching, and the Chiefs with the rest of the weekend to evaluate tape, keep an eye on these guys. There's a good chance the names on this list will make the majority, if not all, of Tuesday's five roster cuts.

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Comments

Call me crazy but I thought I heard Harlan say Fryar on one play lining up at WR?

by golfbard on Aug 30, 2009 9:04 AM CDT reply actions

I swear I heard the same thing

Cry Havoc! And let slip the Chiefs Defense of War!!!

by nateforchiefs on Aug 30, 2009 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions

I did also

2009 AFC West champs....... KC Chiefs!

by Jay 23 on Aug 30, 2009 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions

At WR?

He’s a DB…according to my info he did not play. Let me check on this.

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Aug 30, 2009 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions

I know that's the strange part

Unless Harlan made a mistake which is possible.

by golfbard on Aug 30, 2009 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions

I heard it too, just can't remember when

by Pontiaclvr on Aug 30, 2009 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions

I think there will be a number of surprises

When the cuts come down both this week and next. Players we thought will make it will be out of here and other guys like a Copper who just does everything the way the coaches want (you would hope at some point he’s not invisible in the game) will make it. Probably going to see 5 or 6 players picked up from other teams to either add depth or be just the piece to fill a hole. What’s that word I’m thinking of….oh yeah…process. Yeah…it’s a process.

Chiefs go 9-7. LJ makes 1400 yards. DBowe makes 1200 yards. Defense #18.

by Zodeman on Aug 30, 2009 9:09 AM CDT reply actions

Ha!

That was the joke last night….“It’s a process”…

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Aug 30, 2009 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Tell that to Cassell's right knee

Cry Havoc! And let slip the Chiefs Defense of War!!!

by nateforchiefs on Aug 30, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Left knee

by Justin Bopp on Aug 30, 2009 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions

I had high hopes for Williams

but our depth at RB seems to be pretty good and he hasnt shown much when hes been given the chance I guess he wont be a Chief this year

by tomahawk44 on Aug 30, 2009 9:12 AM CDT reply actions

he might

clear waivers and be a PS guy – which im hoping, because i like javarris too and think he can develop into something nice. like a benjarvus green-ellis type of back.

by CHIEFER on Aug 30, 2009 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions

Who knows?

The D looks pretty solid for now, but bet the farm you will see many OL and WRs cut and signed from waivers this week I think….

I want K.C. Wolfs' job!

by Jonezin4KC on Aug 30, 2009 9:28 AM CDT reply actions

Brown and Williams

smell like practice squad to me.
I think Copper survives the week as a reward for hard work put in thus far and gets cut next week.
Taylor prolly just sat because they didn’t need to see him. They know what he is…a decent backup tackle for the final 53.
To me the cuts are:
London Fryar
Bobby Greenwood
Cameron Goldberg
Rodney Wright
Jackie Bates

by KCSatchmo on Aug 30, 2009 9:29 AM CDT reply actions

Do you think Williams would last on the PS? I do agree with you that I think he will be put on their though.

by tomahawk44 on Aug 30, 2009 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions

Man no idea

He’s got somepositives, but mid-round OL are such a crap shoot…

by KCSatchmo on Aug 30, 2009 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions

Wright

I’m not so sure he will be in the first cut. He’s been getting a decent amount of action out there…I don’t think he’ll make the team but I think he makes to the 75.

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Aug 30, 2009 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions

I just look at the volume of WRs

and think one has to go. Frankly tho it could be any number of guys at that position;.

by KCSatchmo on Aug 30, 2009 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Right

I think he gets a pass over someone else because he’s seen some decent time on special teams. It’s a crap shoot at this point, though, since most of these guys we’re talking about now will certainly be cut at 53.

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Aug 30, 2009 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions

Yuppers

I just can’t wait until final cuts happen. I spend most of preseason explaining to friends and family that the vast majority of teh guys they see in the 2nd half aren’t playing in the NFL this year. The same convo over and over gets old…

by KCSatchmo on Aug 30, 2009 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions

Dont count WRIGHT out too soon

He looks like hes got pretty good hands and honestly Ive been more impressed with him than the others. Looked into his background and seems hes come a long way to be here. When someone has that much heart, that goes a long way for em. Not only heart, hes got some skills. Looking at the camp reports, hes made some pretty good plays. He really hasnt had a lot of time in the pre-season to show what he can do, but coaches been watching him more at camp and hes done well. It is a crap shoot at this point, but I think the decisions are going to be made based on camp performance. We’ll see though

by KT4KC on Aug 31, 2009 2:09 AM CDT up reply actions

Those are my five cuts as well

by Chief1 on Aug 30, 2009 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Its obvious that you aren't to smart or you are blind as hell.

by trishlea on Aug 30, 2009 8:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Williams will make this team

once again when on the field, Williams shined! He should be the starter over DJ. Which really isn’t saying much, as I’m of the opinion DJ sucks!

by JohnNdallas on Aug 30, 2009 9:39 AM CDT reply actions

I think both RILBs will look better with Thomas on the field.

I’m really hopeful that Thomas is OK and will be starting against the Ravens. The WHOLE LB corps, except for Vrabel, seems to bite on the play fake and then be slow to get back. Of course, I’d just as soon see press coverage on the outside and jailhouse blitz on every down, so run or pass, the LBs are just destroying the o-backfield every play. But that’s why I’m not a DC.

No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.

by hmills110 on Aug 30, 2009 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions

DJ

has been out of his comfort zone his entire career. DJ is a sideline to sideline defender, yet we always had him at OLB. He needs to be in the middle so that he CAN play sideline to sideline. This is DJ’s chance to really shine. He showed some promise against the Texans, slipped a bit (really didnt have many plays go his way anyways) against the Vikings and didnt play this week.

DJ is a roamer. He’s the type of player who should be roaming the field, flying to the ball and making plays. Hes going to get his chance to do that and with ZT teaching him the ropes, he should excel. This is the year for him to turn heads. But dont get me wrong, this is going to be a tough year for the D. 3-4 transitions dont happen in 1 season.

by Petey14 on Aug 30, 2009 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions

My Bad!

Thought you were talking about Demorrio Williams

by JohnNdallas on Aug 30, 2009 9:44 AM CDT reply actions

lol its alright

I like Demorrio he seemsto play with a lot of intensity

by tomahawk44 on Aug 30, 2009 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions

Demorrio looks better than last year

but he’s firmly on the bubble. He may well be fighting McBride, Studebaker and Belcher for the final 2 LB spots. My money is on Studebaker and Belcher making the cut but any of them getting cut wouldn’t be a shocker.

by KCSatchmo on Aug 30, 2009 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions

Ive liked Demorrio since we played Miami last year

every since then Ive kept my eye on him

by tomahawk44 on Aug 30, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions

Williams, Studebaker and Belcher all make the 53 man roster

Belcher gets it on ST play and Studebaker and Williams as back up LB and ST play. McBride is the one who is being looked at as a weak link. I would be surprised if he isn’t cut as we pick up another OLB.

by TonyG88 on Aug 30, 2009 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Man when are we

going to get a true rt? I would have rather picked o-line this draft, and went to outscoring opponents. Yes we need defense, but it is the same old thing, if you cannot score you have no chance. This has to be killing an offense minded HC, not scoring.

Now hopefully this team is fun to watch again! Thanks Scott, Clark!!

by Eric Allen on Aug 30, 2009 9:47 AM CDT reply actions

That's my one bitch

about Pioli, his inaction on the O-Line in Free Agency. Wouldn’t a Jason Brown look good in red and gold?

I don’t know if Pioli over estimated the talent on the line or just feels that if all else is clicking you can survive with a suspect line. Either way, he’s going to be hard pressed to improve the line in any meaningful way during the season.

So to answer your question Eric, I don’t see them finding the solution for a Right Tackle, Right Guard or Center until the off season, unless he can pull off some kind of trade.

by JohnNdallas on Aug 30, 2009 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions

I hear ya

and I am scared for Cassel’s life this year. But, I think it’s better to build D first. My reasoning is that it generally takes players on D a little bit longer to come around than O. Many rookie OL come in and play well….same for RBs. Rokkie DL and DBs tend to struggle mightily.

I suspect the thinking is we get a little more experience on D this year and by next year we have one of the better Ds in the league. Draft an OL and/or WR next year…couple of FA signings to shore up the O and we’re contenders.

by KCSatchmo on Aug 30, 2009 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Great point

Valid arguments from both sides on which side of the line to address first….defensive line does take a little longer. I was saying last night that you can pick up a guard in the third or fourth round and have him contribute very quickly, whereas a defensive lineman, even in the first round, isn’t likely to contribute much.

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Aug 30, 2009 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions

I hear you on O-Line.

That was (and is) my big concern coming into the season. Fix that, make modest acquisitions at QB, play great defense and build a dominant line, develop your QBs for another year, and bring in a top-drawer QB if nobody on the depth chart shows much.

But, I’m giving Pioli a bye on this, since there are a number of fairly highly-scouted talents on the depth chart, and they’d never been through Haley’s OTAs and conditioning. So it prob’ly took a while to give a firm thumbs-down on some of the linemen. And they DID look better #1s versus #1s with the run game.

No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.

by hmills110 on Aug 30, 2009 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Sooooo what do you guys thinkthe odds are that we go after Runyan or Jones now?

I would like to say pretty effing good! But even worse Damn do we need a REAL tight end holy hell! The ones we got now cannot block, cannot catch, hell they cannot even line up correctly. If that doesnt get fixed, well there isnt enough QB’s in the leage to pick up. I didnt think Tony would be missed THIS much

by readANDgold58 on Aug 30, 2009 10:15 AM CDT reply actions

Honestly

I think the only thing that has kept us from signing one already is contract demands. (Length not $) The closer we get to the opener, the more likely we can get one of them to take a 1 year deal.

by KCSatchmo on Aug 30, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions

Yep

That would be right up Pioli’s alley. Zach Thomas, Monty Beisel, Mike Brown…all one year deals. I think Mike Goff is the only one of those older veterans that got longer than that (he’s at two years).

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Aug 30, 2009 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions

I don't like how much we're thinking alike today Joel.

Stay away from my sleepers in our Fantasy Draft tonight.

by KCSatchmo on Aug 30, 2009 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions

I think at TE

we are waiting for the pats to drop one…seriously, not just going with the Pioli will take a pat theory

I do wonder at RT if with that trade they are content and want to move up …Ike to RT, Alleman to RG….otherwise I would go sign Levi Jones…and cut Mcintosh.

by SDChief on Aug 30, 2009 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Derrick Johnson = FAIL

You have just received the Amish Virus. Since we do not have electricity or computers, you are on the honor system. Please delete all of your files.

Thank thee

by JChief on Aug 30, 2009 12:08 PM CDT reply actions

why so hard on DJ?

by tomahawk44 on Aug 30, 2009 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't get it either.

I feel like chiefs fans have always had excessive expectations for DJ. There is a lot of area between ELITE and FAIL. I would contend that he is an above average linebacker right now, and he should continue to get better.

by dakotadave on Aug 30, 2009 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

Sure hes not the best LB out there but give the guy a break he hasnt been horrible hes been pretty solid give him a break

by tomahawk44 on Aug 30, 2009 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Pretty solid?

He’s been spending a lot of time in rehab, missing practice and preseason. You can make a case for Thomas being saved for regular season, after leading the team in the offseason to set the tone, and then bringing a lift against the Ravens. But DJ had something to prove and others are getting the practice and playing time.

No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.

by hmills110 on Aug 30, 2009 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Im not saying just this year

He hasnt been a horrible LB like I said he not a star. DJ has put up mediocre numbers so I guess not “solid” but I think some people have been too hard on him .

by tomahawk44 on Aug 30, 2009 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions

I dont think 6 tackles in limited playing time against Houston was too shabby though

by tomahawk44 on Aug 30, 2009 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions

So how do you feel

about a guy that’s playing behind him being credited with ten tackles in “limited playing time”? Nine with one assist. Plus Williams isn’t too soft to play on the teams unit.

Williams out played DJ last season and it doesn’t appear that has changed this season.

Last season every one was saying DJ would have a break out year, the Chiefs D was designed to free him up (cuz he can’t take on a block, shed it and still make a play) so he could roam from side to side and into the backfield to wreak havoc. Well needless to say, that didn’t happen. Now this season, same thing, “DJ will be freed up to make the big plays”. I know it’s cliche’ish as hell but… Show Me!

The guys is way to finesse to play an inside Backer, it was stupid for herm to have moved his ass inside in the first place. If he couldn’t excell as an Outside LBer in herms Tampa Two, he has NO chance as an Inside LBer in a 34!

IMO.

by JohnNdallas on Aug 30, 2009 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions

He's not bad

If he were more consistant he’d be pretty dzamn good

A fan since '90. I cried when Lowery missed the FG :( I was 11.

by DaChefs on Aug 30, 2009 5:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Could have done both OL and DL

That’s why I thought for sure Pioli would go OL in 3rd round after he went DL in R1. But he did not…instead went back to DL R3. So I thought…ok Chiefs will go OL R4. Then they went Washington CB.. I ;m like where’s OL. Then when they went Brown OL 5th…I gave benefit of doubt and told myself…OK Pioli picked a guy in 5th rd who will contribute right away. But that did not happen. Brown will likely not make final 53 or just make it then get cut when OL veteran picked up.

by JBChiefs on Aug 30, 2009 5:51 PM CDT reply actions