Five Things to Watch for Tonight as the Chiefs Take on the Rams

by Chris Thorman on Sep 3, 2009 7:04 AM CDT in 2009 Training Camp Comment 54 comments

Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Alex Magee, back, looses his helmet while making the tackles on Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, front, during the second quarter of a NFL preseason football game Friday, Aug. 21, 2009 in Minneapolis.(AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)

by Tom Olmscheid - AP

3 months ago: Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Alex Magee, back, looses his helmet while making the tackles on Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, front, during the second quarter of a NFL preseason football game Friday, Aug. 21, 2009 in Minneapolis.(AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)

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Good morning AP readers! It's game day!

Yes, I'm already getting pumped up for this evening's game against the St. Louis Rams. As a heads up, the game is on at 7 PM central time. We will have the normal 4-5 posts during the game and we'll try to manage the 2000+ comments we had last game.

As a little primer for you this morning, I've got five things to watch for listed after the jump. Here's what I'm talking about:

Wide recievers to watch for
Who's playing in place of Brandon Flowers
More on the battle at right tackle
End of game execution
Missouri sports viewing habits

Enjoy and remember....GOOOOOO CHIEFS!!!

Who's the #2 WR? Or the #3? or #4?

Wide Receiver
~~D.Darling~~		T. Copper
M. Bradley		~~A. Toomer~~
B. Engram		D. Bowe
Q. Lawrence		T. Johnson
R. Wright	Slot Receiver	A. Lelie
	B. Engram
	Q. Lawrence
	R. Wright

This is of course the latest Kansas City Chiefs WR depth chart. Dwayne Bowe is of course our #1 wide out but who's next after that?

I think Ashley Lelie has made the most of his playing time out of any of these guys. Despite having only four catches for 64 yards, Lelie has stuck out in my mind as a strong candidate to be this team's #2 wide receiver when the season starts.

Bobby Engram appears to be the veteran we're holding to at the WR position. With the release of Amani Toomer on Tuesday, it makes sense that the Chiefs will keep at least one veteran WR on the team and Engram appears to be that guy.

Terrence Copper is a bit of a wildcard here because frankly I haven't read or seen much from him this preseason. He has one catch this preseason and rarely, if ever, was mentioned in our training camp reports. Still, he does sit atop the depth chart. That must account for something, right?

I think Quinten Lawrence has earned a roster spot for himself this presason. He has the second most preseason receptions behind Bowe.

If there are two odd men out, I'm choosing Taurus Johnson and Rodney Wright to get cut in this next round of roster cuts on September 6th. Neither one has been particularly strong. I know Wright has shown some flashes of training camp brilliance but I don't take that to mean much. it seems like every off season there's a guy like Wright who when the ax comes down on him in the first or second round of cuts, everyone flips out and is shocked.

Donald Washington Week 1 starter?

And for those wondering, the mystery of Brandon Flowers' shoulder injury continues. This means that someone will have to step in and take his place. Is that rookie Donald Washington?

I'm not sure. Travis Daniels and Maurice Leggett are ahead of him on the depth chart. Leggett plays a lot of nickelback but I see no reason why he doesn't step in in place of Flowers tonight at some point. Leggett is a rising star on this team and I bet he plays pretty well.

On the other hand, Washington has been running with the first team in place of Flowers this past week in practice. Sounds like Washington may get the start.

RT Battle

Damion McIntosh moved to the reserve left tackle role last week when the Chiefs signed right tackle Ikechuku Ndukwe but moved back to first team right tackle this week in practice.

Throw in Barry Richardson, who at this point is not a consideration for the starting spot, and you've got three fairly evenly matched players battling.

My prediction is entirely gut based - Ndukwe first team RT and McIntosh will back him up to start the season.

Can the Chiefs execute at the end of the game?

I know it's only the preseason but the Chiefs have had chances in all three of their preseason games to come back in the fourth quarter. Against the Texans, Vikings and Seahawks, the Chiefs had the ball late in the fourth quarter but could not put together a scoring drive.

Last season the team was absolutely terrible in the second half. We're way above that now. But still, you'd like to see some late game savvy when you can.

Will this be the most viewed TV event in MIssouri this evening?

Probably not. With Rams fans, you never know what you're going to get. I bet most people in St. Louis don't even know there is a game tonight.

I'm not even sure I'd want to go to this game. It's in a dome....in downtown St. Louis. Talk about your empty, imagination less places.

***

Let us know your thoughts on these topics in the comments.

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Comments

Gametime

Im going to the game, will it be boring, more than likely, but regardless I am going. Like the players, I need to get my preseason game in before heading to Arrowhead to watch the home opener vs. the Raiders.

Any other readers going to tonights game?

by GNBX57 on Sep 3, 2009 7:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

To Chiefs fans in St louis

I’ll be there with a few other Chiefs fans.
Also, if you’re in StL, we go to The Sports Attic on Manchester & Brentwood (8212 Manchester Rd, St Louis, MO) to watch the regular season games we don’t make it to Arrowhead that week. There is a group of us Chiefs fans and they treat us pretty well there (since the Rams are blacked out by week 5 usually). $20 bucket of beer & 2lbs of hot wings. Email at dan_shirley (at) att.net if you ever want to swing by.

by DanielShirley on Sep 3, 2009 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Praying

that the o-line actually gives Croyle a chance to look downfield for his receivers.

The good thing about hope is that its well never runs dry.

by Starshaker on Sep 3, 2009 8:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Watch for the play-calling

changes to help out with that at least a little bit.

by ttownmikey on Sep 3, 2009 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, I'm excited to see

how the play calling differs with Haley taking over
hope it’s exciting and unpredictable

* "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 3, 2009 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And that he only calls the "good" plays

No more bad plays. What were they thinking?!?!

by sunny D on Sep 3, 2009 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also interested to see how Haley does

When there’s a timeout and he runs out to squirt Gatorade into the mouths of the players, as well as how speedy Haley will be when he runs out to grab the tee after kick-offs. Plus, how well he performs at helping players change their cleats when adjusting to the conditions. (Because we all know just how fast field conditions can change in a dome, but I digress.)

by sunny D on Sep 3, 2009 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good point

I’ve always wondered why they even have that chapter of “bad plays” in the play book.

Blame my wife!
Waiting until August!

by sir eccles on Sep 3, 2009 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

To confuse teams that steal one another's playbooks :)

Hope you’re adjusting well to life in the Southwest, sir eccles, and that you’re finding ways to watch the Chiefs this year!

by sunny D on Sep 3, 2009 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

one plus

the cable network here carries NFL network.

On the downside, the cable network here carries NFL network.

Blame my wife!
Waiting until August!

by sir eccles on Sep 3, 2009 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'm not real sure

the play calling will be drastically different tonight since it is the last pre season game and we don’t have our starting qb and they’ve only had 3 days of practice with haley as the oc…just my opinion

Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day.
Harry S. Truman

by kcguy on Sep 3, 2009 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think different will be the case

Faster, more up tempo that’s what I’m expecting. Now with the new rule change I’d like to se the fade at the edge of the end zone ripped out of the play book. Before the rule change you could do it and not worry about the push out, bu now that play is dead, one little push and it is defended against. Very dumb rule change in my opinion.

is it me? or isn't about time the Lamar Hunt trophy belonged to His team?

I’m a Chiefs fan Dammit and I’m damn proud of it!

by KC Fanatic on Sep 3, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damion McIntosh is a declining veteran...

who has never really earned his paycheck from KC. He also is playing out of position because he was beaten out by a younger player. Given what has already happened with Toomer and especially Boone, I would not be surprised to see him get cut.

by whoadog on Sep 3, 2009 8:05 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I would have loved to cut McIntosh during OTA's or sometime earlier...

But we didn’t get anyone to replace him. (aside from the Dolphins 3rd stringer) We can’t really cut him because he’s basically the best option we have. Unfortunately.

by chicks_love_chiefs on Sep 3, 2009 8:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Ndukwe ascends to the starting spot...

there is no reason to keep McIntosh.
And once Flowers returns to health, Leggett takes a back seat. At no point in time while Flowers is a (healthy) Chief will Leggett start an NFL game ahead of him.

by Dagda on Sep 3, 2009 8:07 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe Legget won't start ahead of him

I don’t think anyone is suggesting that. However, Leggett is a very exciting player for us. He is all over the field and is rushing to the ball. He also did a vey solid job covering for Flowers. He is a fantastic Nickel for us.

We are in a really great position here with Carr, Flowers and Legget. If they all continue to develop teams are going to have a rough time throwing the ball against us.

D-Bowe, Mark Bradley, Bobby Engram and Turtle. Four Chiefs WRers. 4 Pro Bowlers.

by Patrick Allen on Sep 3, 2009 8:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree W / Mo Legg at Nickleback

by DanielShirley on Sep 3, 2009 8:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You understand that the starting RT doesn't play the whole game?

You need backups especially for fatty o-linemen. We gots to keep McIntosh.

by chicks_love_chiefs on Sep 3, 2009 8:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I say cut him

he doesn’t offer anything that B-Rich doesn’t also offer.

Richardson, Ndukwe are servicable at RT.
Alleman, Brown at RG
Niswanger, Ghiaciac at C
Waters, Wade Smith at LG
Albert, Herb Taylor at LT

Unless they sign a FA or two, I wouldn’t lose sleep over that line

by stagdsp on Sep 3, 2009 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tony Pashos?

looks like a good option if he gets cut…

then you can move Ndukwe in to RG, and have Pashos/Richardson at RT

by stagdsp on Sep 3, 2009 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Three at once

If we created a single jersey that all three right tackles could wear and have just one number, would it be possible to petition the league and be allowed to let the three of them add up to one RT? You know…strap their legs together like the three-legged race, if necessary? I realize it would re-shape the huddle a bit, because there’d be 13 bodies in the huddle. Just wonderin’ if that’s something we could try.

by sunny D on Sep 3, 2009 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Think so? Think Richardson will be kept as the backup?

by Chiefsfan1970 on Sep 3, 2009 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

why not?

he’s played OK at RT (terrible at LT)
and at least he has potential.

McIntosh is devoid of potential at this point… he’s as “good” as he’s going to get

by stagdsp on Sep 3, 2009 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

and sadly seems to be better than anyone else we have

McIntosh is devoid of potential at this point… he’s as "good" as he’s going to get

by NJ Chiefs Fan on Sep 3, 2009 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not sure "better" is the right word

have you been able to specifically compare his performance to Richardson or Ndukwe?

I haven’t had a chance to analyze the game tape from Seattle yet, but I’ll try to do so after tonight’s game is on the DVR.

I’ll look closely at the 3 RT options and see who misses the most blocks.
I suspect they are all about the same right now, and still not getting the TE blocking help they need.

but, we’ll see

by stagdsp on Sep 3, 2009 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just know

no one has beat him out of his starting job. Haven’t reviewed tape, just going by who’s taking snaps with the 1st team (which seems to matter only for the o-line).

by NJ Chiefs Fan on Sep 3, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah?

IMO, the 1st team snaps seem to be being awarded in an odd fashion, at the whim of Haley…so I’m not reading that much into it.

Richardson got a lot of first team snaps last week, I think.
Ndukwe hasn’t been here very long, so hasn’t had a chance to “win” a job yet.

We’ll see what they look like in game action

by stagdsp on Sep 3, 2009 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully

they’ll have the best guy playing with the 1s by Baltimore. =)

I really hope someone is better than Mac, but it doesn’t seem the coaches think that is the case at this time.

by NJ Chiefs Fan on Sep 3, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Personally I am a little bummed about this game

Sure it is important for our offense to get going but what is really important is that it gets going with it’s leader. Matt Cassel returning to try to get things moving against Baltimore is not a satisfying thought.

A lot is emphasis is being put on the Chiefs winning this game. A win certainly isn’t going to hurt anything but lets be realisitic here. The Chiefs won two preseason games last year and still stunk all year long. Herm played the starters against the Ram’s scrubs to give then a confidence boost. That didn’t work out so well.

What I want to see is just sharp execution on both sides of the ball. While there have been positives throughout preseason, the Chiefs haven’t looked sharp.

I won’t lie. I am optimistic about a lot of things but I am also very discouraged. Matt Cassel being out for this game just plain sucks.

D-Bowe, Mark Bradley, Bobby Engram and Turtle. Four Chiefs WRers. 4 Pro Bowlers.

by Patrick Allen on Sep 3, 2009 8:22 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This is the time that Brodie shows if he can do it.

If he can’t do it against the Rams then there is a problem, and we better get Matt back as soon as possible. I still hope that he doesn’t come back till week 2 and give us that little extra adrenaline rush.

by Helmets on Sep 3, 2009 8:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Even if cassel was healthy, he would play minimally, if at all in this game.

by dablueguy on Sep 3, 2009 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whats the latest on him? Good to go week 2?

by chiefnyc on Sep 3, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just wonder how they will handle things

How long will the starters play do you think?

All the good teams will probably toss them in for a series and pull the plug. I’m not even sure who our starters are. I am all for competition but it is high time this team got grounded a little bit. The season is comng, the games are about to count.

Pick your horses and lets go.

D-Bowe, Mark Bradley, Bobby Engram and Turtle. Four Chiefs WRers. 4 Pro Bowlers.

by Patrick Allen on Sep 3, 2009 8:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree Paddy.

Gotta decide who the starters are gonna be. It should have already been established by now.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Sep 3, 2009 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Importance of "gelling"

Question: For which position groups is playing time together most important? i.e. Are there certain positions where a team can rotate 1st, 2nd, 3rd string and not have it make that much difference?

Seems like O line is the most important group of five guys that must build chemistry. On the other hand, D line players sometimes seem more like hockey line changes, and can rotate guys without missing a beat.
QB with RBs and WRs? We botched a handoff last week. Do the QBs need to build chemistry with their RBs, or do they simply all need to be in their designated places during a play and it doesn’t make any difference which person it is? QBs and WRs need to build a feel for one another, yet has Haley’s “do it my way” approach to the depth chart really helped the all-important Cassel-Copper connection really pay off?
Linebackers as a unit? DBs as a unit? I see the benefits, but perhaps good on-field communication can be somewhat of a substitute for epxerience together.
Long snapper, holder, kicker. Important

Everyone seems to agree that competition is supreme at training camp, and that we should keep upgrading personnel by bringing in grass that appears greener, but how big a cost do we pay in team cohesion?

by sunny D on Sep 3, 2009 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That is a great question. That could be a whole Fanpost.

There has been a hefty price paid by putting so much emphasis on evaluation. It will be very hard to recover in time for week 1.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Sep 3, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

week 1

will be handled like preseason game 5 and raiders will be week one.

by xfatdannx on Sep 3, 2009 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting take.

As long as they don’t put in the scrubs after the first series, I guess that’s okay. I don’t really expect to win that game anyway…. Actually, I don’t mean that. That’s a losers mentality.

They need to go into Baltimore and play their asses off. Fuck Baltimore. They don’t deserve an easy win. Why should we give them a freebie? The Chiefs need to play that game with reckless abandon and bring pressure on every passing down and play that game like it’s their last. It’s gonna take every bit of that just to keep it from being a total blowout. Maybe they’ll have a chance at the end.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Sep 3, 2009 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice self pep talk, 1970

That’s the attitude we’re lookin’ for!

Then we can fire Clancy after the Raven game and get ready for the opener. :)

by sunny D on Sep 3, 2009 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like it

there are no “gimmies” in the NFL

any given sunday…

by stagdsp on Sep 3, 2009 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Even if Matt is able to start week 1

You know he won’t be 100%, I would give him that time to get better. Lets face it even with Matt in and him not being 100% we don’t have a very good chance to win the game.

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

by bringbacktheglory on Sep 3, 2009 9:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Nickel is by far the most difficult position to play in the secondary

No other play has been getting many reps there so it makes sense to keep Legget at nickel and promote someone else to replace flowers.

by AK_47 on Sep 3, 2009 9:25 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Washington

this is his chance to prove he was worth a 4th rounder, over Jasper Brinkley and others

by stagdsp on Sep 3, 2009 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

btw who cares if this game is watched by anyone

why would I watch for that tonight???

For a better 5th thing to look for tonight I’m surprised you didn’t mention the pace at which the offense calls plays and gets to the line. Croyle has already mentioned that the offense has a different pace and feel with Haley in control. Personally, I’d put that as the #1 thing to watch tonight. Its by far the most interesting storyline.

by AK_47 on Sep 3, 2009 9:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Look for Charles to be one of the top recieving threats tonight ….. Prolly a lj savage one two punch instead …. Just a gut feeling

How the hell did that happen? I am Trailblazer fan to the core but I love me some OKC THunder!!! Must be the Hometown pride I feel.

I'll Say it now so you guys can know I'm a true follower: "In Pioli I Trust"
Go Chiefs!!!!!

by bouzi on Sep 3, 2009 9:44 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

I thought one of your 5 things to watch would be

a different channel.

But then I realized it probably wouldn’t be on tv out here in the desert.

Blame my wife!
Waiting until August!

by sir eccles on Sep 3, 2009 9:39 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

the dome

you’re right, though

I went to the Chiefs/Rams game in the dome a couple years back.
The fans there are boring and uptight.
the Dome is like an airplane hangar

nothing like Arrowhead. They have no idea what a good football environment is

by stagdsp on Sep 3, 2009 9:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

I’ve been to several Rams games. it’s like watching football in a conference room.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Sep 3, 2009 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

In my opinion id go Bowe, Lelie, Engram

As for RT anyone but MacIntosh

Corner – Maurice stands out to me as a solid guy, but i also think D Washington is a sleeper for years to come. Lets pray that Flowers isn’t out past week 2..but i have a nasty feeling its serious..(like 4-5 wks serious) Hope I’m wrong

Just want to throw this in.. am I the only one who is surprised by Corey Mays? He’s all over the field at ILB. Start week 1? I’m comfortable with it

by chiefnyc on Sep 3, 2009 10:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

agreed

Mays is the man, start him right away, no issues.

I’m hoping Washington makes a splash at CB.

I’m ready to cut McIntosh, still… even if they don’t bring in another waived guy… but, especially if they do

by stagdsp on Sep 3, 2009 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You guys sure hate St. Louis

At least they have decent public transportation. Thats all i got.

by xfatdannx on Sep 3, 2009 11:44 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

they have good bars and Italian food

I’ve lived downtown StL and downtown KC (Quality Hill)

I have to admit that I had a great time living in StL, walking to Cards games from my apt, and going out a lot…

KC is still home, and Arrowhead trumps the Jones dome 10 to 1.

But, I don’t hate St Louis

by stagdsp on Sep 3, 2009 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hate to be late to the post but

has anyone noticed that helmets seem to be coming off at a rate far greater than in the past?

"But what do I know, I'm AP's new assclown and I’m like an empty room with a large ECHO"

by Lanier63 on Sep 3, 2009 3:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah

I did notice that. I wonder if they perhaps loosened the helmets so that a hard impact would take the helmet off the player’s head instead of their head jerking so hard. Merely speculating, of course.

The good thing about hope is that its well never runs dry.

by Starshaker on Sep 3, 2009 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs