Chiefs Roster Moves Put Only 51 on Active Roster

by Joel Thorman on Sep 30, 2009 7:26 AM CDT in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

We've had some busy days around here, especially with this new Kansas City Chiefs regime, but it may be hard to top yesterday. Maybe it was just the timing of everything being reported at the same time but it was a whirlwind of activity yesterday (particularly yesterday evening which tells you that you need to read Arrowhead Pride at all times of the day).

The biggest thing to remember after yesterday is that the Chiefs now have TWO open roster spots. And you better believe Pioli and Co. won't be wasting those spots. I fully expect there to be two new Chiefs by this afternoon.

Basically what I'm saying is that this is going to be a fun day. If people at work are expecting you to be productive, why don't you go ahead and pull a Costanza and hide under the desk.

I'm going to recap the moves made yesterday here. For a look at the situations surrounding all these moves, check out Josh Looney's take at the Mothership.

Just as a quick review, here are the Chiefs moves yesterday:

QB Thigpen traded (1:04 PM)

Yes the Chiefs traded Tyler Thigpen. We're guessing the compensation is around a 4th-6th round draft pick, obviously hoping that it's closer to a fourth. Trading a quarterback is always surprising (which we've been involved with twice now) but this move should have been expected at some point.

Do the Chiefs have anyone in for a workout today? (5:06 PM)

I had no idea what I was about to get into...

Chiefs sign TE Pope (5:22 PM)

The Chiefs worked him out a few weeks ago and, with the Thigpen trade creating a roster spot, he and the Chiefs agreed to terms. He's 6'8", 264 pounds so he presents some possible matchup problems in the red zone. At this point, the writing was on the wall for one of the tight ends since teams rarely carry four.

Chiefs workout RT Tauscher (5:43 PM)

This is believed to be his first workout since coming off of ACL surgery. The Chiefs recently made a change on the depth chart at right tackle so we'll see what they do with this. No movement on this as of right now.

Release three and sign two (5:56 PM)

The Chiefs officially made these announcements (one of which we already knew about)

Released: LB Monty Beisel, CB Ricardo Colclough and TE Tom Crabtree (practice squad)
Signed: TE Leonard Pope (we knew about this) and T Chris Patrick (practice squad - more on him later).

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Comments

Move Long to the 53 man roster?

by Helmets on Sep 30, 2009 7:39 AM CDT reply actions

I think that is what will happen.

But that means we are still 1 short on the roster and also need to add one more player to the practice sqaud.

by saskwatch on Sep 30, 2009 8:25 AM CDT up reply actions

I would bet

if they call up Long then O’Connell will move down to the practice squad since they cut Crabtree. That would then still leave 2 active roster spots which IMO need to be a CB since we only have 4 on the active roster and we’ve had some injuries there already, and a T since none of our current bench players can play LT if Albert were to get dinged.

The Good: Moved the ball some, stopped the run
The Bad: penalties and not getting a FG before halftime
The Ugly: losing to J. Russel who couldn't hit the broad side of a barn from five yards away

by KCporkchop on Sep 30, 2009 8:35 AM CDT up reply actions

Can't argue with that.

I can’t see us keeping 4 TE on the active roster. One will have to go down, and I think the only one eligible for the practice squad is O’Connell.

by saskwatch on Sep 30, 2009 8:49 AM CDT up reply actions

Doesn't it feel like Haley is trying to test that "22 players off the street comment"?

by mushin on Sep 30, 2009 7:41 AM CDT reply actions

I think Haley is seeing that comment hanging over his head

and is trying anything and everything to avoid having to eat those words.

Cassel has something to prove 3TD's against Eagles

by bringbacktheglory on Sep 30, 2009 8:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Good moves

Good to see they are doing something to at least try to make us better. Pope is going to be a better fit at te than what we had.

by iachiefsfan on Sep 30, 2009 8:21 AM CDT reply actions

Pope

I doubt he’ll be more than a 3rd stringer at TE. I don’t know much about him, but considering that Haley knew him from AZ, and still didn’t bother picking him up for almost a month while he was available, tells me that he’s not particularly high on the guy.

by jmcgoblue on Sep 30, 2009 8:26 AM CDT up reply actions

Dude had 9 catches a year ago...and have never averaged much more than a catch a game.

Don't Fuccop Succop

by chicks_love_chiefs on Sep 30, 2009 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Not sure that's true

and if it is, why wasn’t he here sooner?

Pioli was very proud of the low number of people that have been picked up since he cut them (a very defensive and low-class remark IMO), but I’m not sure he’s replaced them with anyone who is better.

I don’t see the players he brought in as solutions that he later cut getting picked up either.

by NJ Chiefs Fan on Sep 30, 2009 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree

There is a reason someone has been still sitting at home 3 games into the season.

Cassel has something to prove 3TD's against Eagles

by bringbacktheglory on Sep 30, 2009 8:33 AM CDT up reply actions

Maybe

because it’s cheaper to sign a guy after a month of him sitting unemployed.

Pioli has done this time and again this season.

by Bra on Sep 30, 2009 8:35 AM CDT up reply actions

He definetlt has more talent, the problem with him is it has yet to translate.

Worth the risk in my opinion becuase his “potential upside” is better than Ryan or O’Connell in my opinion, and as he is now he probably is not a downgrade.

by saskwatch on Sep 30, 2009 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions

I like it

Pioli is trying to fix the problems. If we dont need them get rid of them and find someone who we do need. They are not sitting by idle and waiting for the team to “gel”….I love the proactive approach.

"Hell yes I love my truck, but I want you to know, honey I love your love the most" - Eric Church

by Matt_Grbac on Sep 30, 2009 8:28 AM CDT reply actions

Agree totally.

At least he is trying to address the problems.

by saskwatch on Sep 30, 2009 8:32 AM CDT up reply actions

yep

by replacing scrubs who know the system with scrubs who have to come in and learn the system… ;)

I don’t mind the moves, but I don’t expect them to have any impact on the team’s performance…other than maybe scaring guys into playing harder (but I don’t think effort has been a problem)

by jmcgoblue on Sep 30, 2009 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions

Pope will fit just fine

Pope will always be a blocking TE first and therefore what the Chiefs now need MOST. Assist the tackle (he’s big to handle a DE) and then release as an outlet receiver. This won’t be glamorous but another blue collar pickup. I don’t know his work ethic but I assume Pioli/Haley wouldn’t bring him in if he didn’t fit the profile. They had hopes that Cottam would fill that roll but apparently hasn’t performed up to par and with the O-line weakness, this makes perfect sense.

by Dallas Chief on Sep 30, 2009 8:41 AM CDT reply actions

only problem with that is

everything I have read on the guy says that blocking is his biggest weakness. He’s a big, slow, 6’8" 260 lb. pass catching TE. Now he is suppose to have great hands so at least he may be a red zone weapon.

The Good: Moved the ball some, stopped the run
The Bad: penalties and not getting a FG before halftime
The Ugly: losing to J. Russel who couldn't hit the broad side of a barn from five yards away

by KCporkchop on Sep 30, 2009 8:43 AM CDT up reply actions

You should not assume he is slow because he is big.

from KFFL:

Despite his large frame, Pope has fairly good speed. His recent 4.62 40-yard dash time was third best among tight ends at the NFL Combine behind only Western Michigan’s Tony Scheffler and Maryland’s athletic freak-of-nature Vernon Davis. Pope’s 40-yard dash time was also faster than those of five running backs, seven receivers and three cornerbacks at the NFL Combine.

He actually has the physical talent to develop into a good TE, it just has not translated yet. I believe he came out early and this is only his 3rd year, so I am hopeful about his potential.

by saskwatch on Sep 30, 2009 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions