Savage, Wade Move Up in Chiefs Latest Depth Chart

by Joel Thorman on Sep 21, 2009 4:52 PM CDT in 2009 Campaign Comment 38 comments

Kansas City Chiefs running back Dantrell Savage (29) is brought down by Oakland Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (21) after completing a pass during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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2 months ago: Kansas City Chiefs running back Dantrell Savage (29) is brought down by Oakland Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (21) after completing a pass during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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There was some movement with the Kansas City Chiefs depth chart as they begin to prepare for the Philadelphia Eagles.

There were changes at a handful of positions. Here they are with a few notes under each one.

Wide Receiver

Quinten Lawrence moves ahead of Terrance Copper
Bobby Wade on first team
Mark Bradley and Bobby Engram move to second and third team

Lawrence did not record a reception against the Raiders but started the game with a 16 yard run on a reverse. Wade led all Chiefs receivers with six receptions and 72 yards.

Tight End

Jake O'Connell moves ahead of Brad Cottam

Cottam's been non-existent in two games this year. O'Connell saw some time yesterday but did not record a reception. Remember, Todd Haley tight ends have historically been asked to focus on blocking, as well as receiving.

Running Back

Dantrell Savage moves from fourth to second
Jamaal Charles now third

Savage had a good game yesterday. He recorded 26 rushing yards on three carries. You can also add in the seven yards per reception he had in the receiving game (six receptions). Charles was listed as inactive.

Defensive Back

Donald Washington moves to the second team ahead of Ricardo Colclough

Leggett is still listed behind Flowers but Washington, a rookie, leapfrogged Colclough.

Punt/Kick Returner

Wade now No. 1 punt returner
Savage now No. 1 kick returner (Charles third team)

Wade returned all six punts yesterday for a total of nine yards. It was hardly impressive but no one has separated themselves from the pack. Because of Sebastian Janikowski's booming leg yesterday, the Chiefs didn't record any kick returns.

H/T stagsdp in the FanShots. Check out the full depth chart here.

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Comments

It's about time...

Lawrence moves up. This kid has got the skills. He just needs to be coached up more to live up to his full potential. Bowe can catch, fight for yards and find a way to get the ball. Wade is great at getting to the ball(work on drops) and Lawrence has the speed to take it to the house everytime but he just isn’t in the game enough. Bradley has reliable hands, although needs work on his route timing. Our wide-out core isn’t as bad as people think it is. We already worked on Bowe’s major problem. We find a way to make the other WR’s flawless, we will be dangerous.

by Chiefsfan85 on Sep 21, 2009 5:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

agreed... lot of possibilities at WR now

I think Haley loves Lawrence, and will work him into the games more going forward…

Wade looks solid, Bowe is great.

I hope they don’t forget about or give up on Bradley, I like watching him play.

I wouldn’t be shocked to see Lance Long get called up to “the show” sometime, at the expense of Copper or Engram

IDEALLY: Cut Engram, Cut Copper, Trade for Roscoe Parrish, promote Lance Long.
That would give more excitement to the WR corps and solve the KR/PR issues for good.

* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season

by stagdsp on Sep 21, 2009 5:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

interesting changes...

http://www.kcchiefs.com/depth_chart/

Wade has obviously made a big impression in a short time to be a starter already.

Lawrence needs to get worked into the offense more… 16yds on a reverse… why not do it again? or just get him the ball in space.

Cottam has to be on his last leg as a Chief… I wouldn’t blink an eye if he’s replaced by a FA TE soon.

I also really want to see Washington step up and play a lot. He should backup Flowers, IMO.

Charles is the big mystery for me right now… obviously they haven’t been happy with his recent performance… is he getting “D-Bowe’d” or is he on his way out???

by stagdsp on Sep 21, 2009 5:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Lawrence needs to show better hands.

Wade’s already made tougher catches in traffic than I’ve seen Lawrence make. Still developing, but he has speed, which can’t be taught.

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

by hmills110 on Sep 21, 2009 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually speed is taught.

http://www.houseofspeed.com/

Don Beebe’s speed camp.

I know what you mean though
:)

Don't Fuccop Succop

by chicks_love_chiefs on Sep 21, 2009 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

don beebe was crazy fast.

i grew up watching him with the bills. and that dude had some jets.

by jared_calhoun on Sep 21, 2009 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no suprises here IMO

Savage and Lawrence looked really good yesterday. Wade brings much-needed sure-handedness and experience, and he’s not a dinosaur.

Savage runs as tough as anybody, and he is small enough to slip through a small crease. Great balance and quickness. He def. earned the # 2 spot yesterday. I’m not sure why they didn’t get Lawrence involved more. He can get overlooked by a defense if Bowe & Wade are playing well.

by reedeasy on Sep 21, 2009 5:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Apparently we are making it a habit to find a #2 WR the beginning of every season

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by woodman212 on Sep 21, 2009 5:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Big difference last year to this.

I think KC thought they were set in July of last year. This year, they didn’t join in the WR sweepstakes in the draft, and didn’t reach for any big FA names, either. So they were still looking in September. I think last year, it was injury that brought Bradley in over Darling, or vice-versa.

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

by hmills110 on Sep 21, 2009 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well yea...but it is a pleasant trend...

As they keep being decent surprises

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by woodman212 on Sep 21, 2009 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wade looked good

always seemed to make himself available in space. Was Bowe constantly in double coverage, I couldn’t tell?

Blame my wife!
Waiting until August!

by sir eccles on Sep 21, 2009 5:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes.

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by woodman212 on Sep 21, 2009 5:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Bradley isn't hurt he can make plays.

I hope he didn’t fall out of favor with Haley?

Herm is gone things are better with that one move!!

by bringbacktheglory on Sep 21, 2009 5:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I have a hard time beliving Wade is better than Bradley

Bradley is solid..

by CALIFAN1986 on Sep 21, 2009 5:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I dont' think it matters...

Both should get plenty of looks this year, IMO.

It shouldn’t matter who is #2 and who is #3, technically.

As long as Haley didn’t give up on Bradley for not getting those first downs last week

by stagdsp on Sep 21, 2009 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Which it appears he has.

Based on the Raiders game…who know maybe he’ll blow up against the Eagles…i doubt it.

Don't Fuccop Succop

by chicks_love_chiefs on Sep 21, 2009 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

maybe

or maybe they just really wanted to get Wade more looks because he had the hot hand, and was the new guy that wanted to get integrated quickly.

Bradley could also just be in the “doghouse” and can get back to making plays soon.

who knows?

by stagdsp on Sep 21, 2009 6:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

we need receivers that move the chains

and Wade proved he could do that versus Bradley’s mistakes in week1 that led to punts. what we r missing is a downfield threat.

by TonyG88 on Sep 21, 2009 10:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

bradley= downfield threat

thus, the issue…

by stagdsp on Sep 21, 2009 10:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If our O-line can hold longer

maybe we will see more 4 WR sets

Herm is gone things are better with that one move!!

by bringbacktheglory on Sep 21, 2009 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

risky

scheme is why they are holding as long as they are now and that has alot to do with having 6 or 7 blockers on passing plays. I think the 3 Rb backfield with the TE has been helpful in the running game also. We are showing alot of looks and misdirection that is helping the blocking. As Cassel gets the rust shaken off and the offense learns Haley’s playbook, we are going to do nothing but get better. The strong NFC East wasn’t all that impressive yesterday. After being pissed off and avoiding everything Chiefs today, I’m starting look forward to these games with the NFC East. We aren’t going to the playoffs, but we are moving in the right direction.

by TonyG88 on Sep 21, 2009 10:52 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Bradley doesn't really

have great speed. I’m an OU fan and watched him in college and would like to see him do well, but he’s not really a speedster (compared to NFL DB’s and speed WR’s, but obviously faster than me). We need Lawrence to continue to develope through out the season to get a speedster out of the WR’s that are on the current roster. I believe we’ll see Long on the 53 man roster soon and Copper will get the door, imo.

by TonyG88 on Sep 21, 2009 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

he's fast enough

that 50yd pass showed all I needed to see.

I agree about Lawrence and Long… that would be a serious injection of speed into the offense

by stagdsp on Sep 21, 2009 10:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As a group

LB’s scare me most. I yelled the F-bomb at Beisel a couple of times yesterday. Our depth is not that great and with DJ playing the run so poorly, unless he is run blitzing where the runs goes, I feel less secure about it than I did during camp.

The number one position that worries me is RG. Goff just seems to have lost it.

by TonyG88 on Sep 21, 2009 10:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe I missed it...

But did anyone else notice that DJ has also moved up from third to second string?

His flashes appear to being paying off.

by 3GChief on Sep 21, 2009 6:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

absolutely

Looney was quick to point that out

by stagdsp on Sep 21, 2009 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yessir...

It is weird the rotating they have at LB…where the inside guys would be Mays and Williams on running downs and DJ and Beisel on passing downs…seemed odd…

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by woodman212 on Sep 21, 2009 6:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Beisel and DJ are in for the Nickle package

In the fourth while we were trailing 6-3, we punted and had the Raiders on their own 20. We put the Nickle in on first down and DJ was sealed off at the edge and McFadden (I believe, but could have been Busch) ran for 9 yards for a 2 and 1. That shows me why DJ isn’t playing first string. He can’t handle the running gap responsibilities.

by TonyG88 on Sep 21, 2009 10:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Go savage

because i’m biased towards small players

by SillyHatDay on Sep 21, 2009 7:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Engram and Copper seem to be odd men out

although I cant knock Engram too much. Each game he has had one catch for over 10 yards, on third down, and has squeezed by the first down marker. Ill keep him on the roster if he does one of those every game.
What does that come to? 16 catches on the season for about 200 yards?

by Bashman on Sep 21, 2009 7:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I've been rooting for Savage!

of course, that probably has more to do with my love of the ~~T. Boone Pickins~~ Oklahoma State Cowboys than with his actual performance on the field…but its still nice to see him get better and better each week.

by RrustyDawg on Sep 21, 2009 7:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I like to see Savage move up

mainly because I think he is the only one of our backs with “Homerun” type play ability. I thought Charles would be that guy. But, I really like the way Savage plays, better than Charles. While Charles may have slightly better hands I think Savage is much harder to bring down.

by vincent2668 on Sep 21, 2009 9:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I really hope that Charles and Cottam

at least get a chance to show us something this year. I had high hopes for the both of them, and they both obviously have some potential. I just don’t want to see them thrown onto the scrap pile because they were players from the old regime.

But maybe I have blinders on because it would mean that we got way less in the Jared Allen trade than we all hoped.

by Clarry on Sep 21, 2009 9:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Herm's Draft Picks at Receiver

How’s that Cottam pick working out?

by HowSweetItIs on Sep 21, 2009 11:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Why do we care what the depth chart states

by NFL season ticket holder on Sep 21, 2009 11:08 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

it's kinda like an official government report

the only thing you know for sure is that it’s not true

CNN = ABC = NBC = CBS = FOX = Chris Mortenson Journalism
play better pool - http://www.sticksandstonesbilliards.com

by nayjevin on Sep 22, 2009 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Someone called Savage getting some time last week...

And I kinda shot it down saying I doubted he would bench Charles even if Savage deserved a try.

Well I was wrong.

Haley put him in and he played really well. He had a few miscues, but if he keeps up what hes doing he could really be a contributer to the offense in many ways. I’ve always liked his ability to make people miss in the open field and now the key is getting him the ball in open field situations.

If a KC QB could learn how to run a screen play that would really play to some of Savages strengths which include open field razzle dazzle and using blocks up the field. The few screens that have been tried have either been to predictable or not being allowed to develop properly. The QB needs to let the Linebackers get more penetration before popping the screen or he’ll just get cut down every time before he goes 2 steps.

by Lucasjr5 on Sep 22, 2009 4:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Jake O'Connell

Remember, Todd Haley tight ends have historically been asked to focus on blocking, as well as receiving.

I guess Jake is blocking? He sure isn’t receiving… I saw a couple of balls thrown his way and just had to shake my head. Not the best throws but the guy kinda seemed lost out there. Wasn’t in a position to make the catch and often seemed like he just didn’t expect the ball.

I think we just need a new TE.

by Lucasjr5 on Sep 22, 2009 4:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs