These Kansas City Chiefs Helped Themselves Last Night

by Joel Thorman on Sep 4, 2009 9:34 AM CDT in 2009 Training Camp Comment 52 comments

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Photo courtesy John Sleezer of the Kansas City Star

The Kansas City Chiefs lost the Governor's Cup to the poor man's version of Kansas City St. Louis Rams last night 17-9. The Chiefs, led by Matt Gutierrez, had a chance to tie the game late but instead chose to preserve their unperfect record.

There were positives, however, ranging from players that are on the roster bubble to the most established veterans.

The following Chiefs helped themselves last night.

DaJuan Morgan

Of course he had a big game. Just yesterday I said Mike Brown would win the battle for the backup safety job. I cited Brown's leadership qualities and Morgan's history of injury as reasons for the pick.

Then the second year safety goes out and makes eight tackles and a diving interception. He saw plenty of playing time, which to me means that the coaching staff wanted to give him a good chance to win a spot on the team.

He may have done just that last night.

Jackie Battle

How many times have we said versatility is a good thing with the new Chiefs regime? A lot.

Jackie Battle demonstrated just that last night. Eight rushes for 28 yards is so, so but good enough to spell the starters. What was nice was the four receptions for 63 yards. Yeah, most of it was at the end of the game when the Rams were playing a quasi-prevent defense but he still got in the open field and got out of bounds when necessary.

Oh yeah, he's a pretty darn good special teamer, too.

Ryan Succop

Last week was just a hiccup for Succop. Last night was, in my opinion, a sign of things to come.

Three attempts, nine points, and a long of 40 yards. His kickoffs consistently made it to the end zone.

There's not much else to say. I think we've found our kicker.

Tom Crabtree

An odd pick, no? There were two things I liked from Mr. Crabtree, a UDFA, last night.

First, a 17 yard reception. He caught the ball on the right side of the field and, right as he turned up field, was met by a defender. There's no doubt Crabtree won that collision.

Then, with time running out in the fourth quarter, Matt Gutierrez threw a prayer to Crabtree as he crossed the middle of the field. It was a mistake on the quarterback's part as Crabtree didn't have a chance to catch the ball. In fact, the defender had a better chance to catch it, which he would have if Crabtree didn't make a great play on the ball to knock down the interception.

I don't think he'll make the team, because at tight end it's becoming a number game with Ryan, Cottam and O'Connell in front of him, but that was a heads up play by a rookie.

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Can't argue with you

I though Morgan played great… he’s probably the one that helped his cause the most, IMO.

But, McGraw had some big plays too… we’ll see what happens at Safety.

Not sure about Battle vs Savage… it’s a toss up, IMO.

I have been bagging on Sean Ryan, but he really made some plays in the passing game last night. I think he’s the #1 TE, with Cottam being invisible.

* "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 4, 2009 9:39 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

In Cottam's defense...

…he did have to play with Thigpen. The one time Thiggy threw the ball to him, it was over his head. Now tell me, how do you overthrow a guy who’s almost 7’ tall… sheesh!

"Every day is an evaluation and if you’re not out there how can we depend on you? If you’re out there and you don’t know what to do, how can we depend on you?" Accountability -- Haley-style...

by Chief_Elmo on Sep 4, 2009 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Shaq couldn't have got his hands on that one!

by saskwatch on Sep 4, 2009 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting Observation about...

…Crabtree — I like it! I’d forgotten about his play. Like you, I don’t think he makes the roster though. He may have got himself a work-out session with another team though…

Jon McGraw — I think Jon solidified his position last night. He was out after halftime, but in the first half he was running around making all sorts of plays. I think he’s got another solid season in the tank.

"Every day is an evaluation and if you’re not out there how can we depend on you? If you’re out there and you don’t know what to do, how can we depend on you?" Accountability -- Haley-style...

by Chief_Elmo on Sep 4, 2009 9:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Battle is my only disagreement

He missed multiple blocking assignments last night and seems to have gotten worse as camp has gone on.

by TonyG88 on Sep 4, 2009 9:43 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

+1

And you can’t deny Savage. Fighting off all those tackles on the big run play….You go Boyyyy!

I like Savage.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Sep 4, 2009 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree. Battle is a fair football player,

but he let too many people run by him unblocked.

by G.L. on Sep 4, 2009 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm also disappointed in him, but I think he'll make the team

What is not mentioned above is that the play BEFORE he got out of bounds at the end of the game, he failed to get out of bounds. He caught a pass in the flat and had a chance to turn it in or head for the sidelines. He chose the former, or, if you prefer, chose… poorly. Haley was barking at him when he came to the sidelines after the good play, which I can only assume meant Haley was displeased with his failure to stop the clock on the previous play.

That being said, he’s solid on special teams, which should save his butt.

by chiefstatnut on Sep 4, 2009 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Battle had a terrible game mentally.

He had the big catch and run, but besides that he didn’t really do anything right. He kept missing the holes while running it. And he literally just watched Gutierrez get slammed two times in a row. And not trying to get out of bounds with no time outs remaining is just inexcusable.

by JayrodT on Sep 4, 2009 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tom Crabtree

I believe Crabtree also smashed a guy on special teams. Just may not be enough rosters spots to keep the guy.

by DTforHOF on Sep 4, 2009 9:44 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You're right

He did.

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Sep 4, 2009 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

With the way it's going,

I could see them putting O’Connell on PUP and keeping Crabtree.

by ICTChief on Sep 4, 2009 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think we go with 4 RB's

LJ, Charles, Battle, Savage. Javaris is simply the odd man out.

Battle is a bigger back and serves as a good back up to LJ. Savage a faster back and a nice back up for Charles. Both are valuable and better than Javaris at this point.

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

by Patrick Allen on Sep 4, 2009 9:50 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I bet Javaris would clear waivers

and head to our practice squad

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

by PVChiefsfan on Sep 4, 2009 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

probably

he’s an unknown, i think

by stagdsp on Sep 4, 2009 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The will try and stash him on the practice squad.

by saskwatch on Sep 4, 2009 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Battle and Crabtree

I think Battle will win the spot over Savage just based on his size. If Savage would have stepped it up in the return game, he would have been the guy.

Crabtree may me a nice candidate for the practice squad if he clears wavers.

by dakotadave on Sep 4, 2009 9:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't be so quick to make that call

It’s also not like anyone else stepped up and took the return job either. Savage certainly didn’t screw that up.

Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!

by Buck'O on Sep 4, 2009 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

did anyone see that...

D. Johnson was on the field alot later than the rest of the starters……hmmm, could this be his last audition.

by Sea of RED on Sep 4, 2009 9:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

3rd string on the depth chart

by Bra on Sep 4, 2009 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"last audition"?

NO way.

He’s getting the D Bowe treatment

He’s one of the players on defense with the most talent, and Haley is pushing him to be more consistent. The 2nd and 3rd string reps are both a punishment and an opportunity to show steady play.

I think he did that last night, and will have a great season.

if Getting “D-Bowe’d” is what it takes to improve… that’s fine with me. But, don’t kid yourself, DJ is a leader on this defense, Haley just wants him to step up more.

by stagdsp on Sep 4, 2009 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree. DJ shows up at times, but I just don’t think he has the toughness that we need.

by Bronc on Sep 4, 2009 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If we can keep all 4 RBs, I would be happy with that.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Sep 4, 2009 9:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

haley with the playbook

seems to point to pass more often than run.

by Sea of RED on Sep 4, 2009 9:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I thought the opposite

by stagdsp on Sep 4, 2009 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just more deep passes

I’d agree more with stagdsp. The difference though is that when we do pass its down the field. So those passes get a lot more attention (from both the crowd and the defense).

by akgrenier on Sep 4, 2009 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seems to exploit weaknesses more to me.

Haley seems to find where the holes are and calls his plays according to that. Gailey always seemed to just randomly pick plays out of the air with no rhyme or reason. The offense will be better with Haley calling plays. I am sure of it.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Sep 4, 2009 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

thats fine by me...

i like DJ, i would love to see him lay a few concussion shots on some people this year…

by Sea of RED on Sep 4, 2009 9:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Donald Washington

I thought he seemed to play really well in relief of Flowers.

They may have found a gem there!

by stagdsp on Sep 4, 2009 9:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Long term, he’s build more like a man-coverage CB. Most of the other guys seem to fit more of a zone/cover-2 profile. He’s an intriguing player. I’m going to watch his development with great interest.

Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!

by Buck'O on Sep 4, 2009 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

When we drafted him

I predicted that in a few years Washington and Carr would be our starting corners…not that Flowers isn’t a stud, but his size is a liability against the bigger WR’s

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

by PVChiefsfan on Sep 4, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I completely disagree

Flowers IS a stud. I think we have three potential solid corners. A good thing to have considering how many teams use multiple receiver sets.

by golfbard on Sep 4, 2009 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We do have three

It’s hard to make the case for one of these guys as trade bait, but then again, Pioli is a different kind of animal. Think back to what the Pats did with Samuels. As a Chiefs fan, I’d like to hang on to all the depth we can, but when the cap implications come into play down the road, it’s gonna get interesting.

Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!

by Buck'O on Sep 4, 2009 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uhh

I did say that Flowers was a stud – and if teams use 3 WR sets, Flowers would be on the field because with Carr and Washington starting, Flowers would be the nickelback.

And if teams use 3 WR on nearly every play, Flowers may be on the field the entire game, but he wouldn’t technically be a starter

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

by PVChiefsfan on Sep 4, 2009 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Haley looked like he was in his happy place

Because he had his little sheet of plays with him. He had less time on his hands this game to blow a gasket. He actually looked much more relaxed. Maybe this was why he took over OC duties. Because he was going to have an aneurism just standing there watching McinSack miss another assignment.

by Ozarks on Sep 4, 2009 10:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

he still looked annoyed a lot

but, I think that’s just how he is

by stagdsp on Sep 4, 2009 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree...Haley looked happy.

Offense was way more aggressive too…i like it.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Sep 4, 2009 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope we don't look back at the end of this season and say..

“Well at least we found our kicker.”

I don't want no Yo-Yos

by AK_47 on Sep 4, 2009 10:19 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He may be our most productive...

offensive player!

by 5280ChiefsFan on Sep 4, 2009 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think we will be fine this year ...

I think it will all come together. I think we just have players scattered all over the place. When they tighten the ship with Bowe, Bradley and Lelie. Matt, LJ and Charles with Haley calling the shots. We will surprise people. Bring DJ back with that starting group and get a few games to gel .. we will suprise some people …. IMO

"even though I was born in Toronto Canada and I love the BlueJays and the Raptors and the Leafs .. I cut my finger this morning and I was BLEEDING CHIEFS RED BABY!!!"

by T-DotChiefFanSince93 on Sep 4, 2009 10:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

I saw some signs of life last night. We’re turning into a team that controls the clock and has a D with a kind of nasty streak. When was the last time that happened? 89-90 and for most of that next decade. I’d take that (sprinkle in a playoff win please).

by Ozarks on Sep 4, 2009 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So far this preseason

I’ve seen a 4th and 1 denied by the defense and several 3rd and shorts denied as well. Haven’t seen that in a VERY long time.

by DWWMRW on Sep 4, 2009 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

100 percent agree

if you put the pieces together, these guys may surprise people..obviously a tough schedule hurts that chance, but they should be competitive…the D once again was flat out good.

by SDChief on Sep 4, 2009 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

to add to that, last year when flowers left the field the first team D was way worse

today they held it together

by SDChief on Sep 4, 2009 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think we saw

a lot of guys play desperate football since roster spots are on the line… Morgan hasn’t shown much before last night’s game. Ditto for McGraw. Wonder if its enough to keep them here or if Haley will call them yo yo players.

by golfbard on Sep 4, 2009 10:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

my list

Had most of the first team D, Highlight on Tank Tyler against the run, he was impressive. TJax was impressive…Hali/Mays/DJ/Vrabel will be a really really strong LB core…with beisel and such behind them.
donald washington showed why he was a 4th round pick with 1st round potential.
Todd Haley and his playcalling….he did a great job, we just missed throws..plus multiple plays the LJ run, the battle screen, that couldve gone for 6.

by SDChief on Sep 4, 2009 11:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm rooting for Savage

That dude is fighting hard for a spot. Breaking a 3 man tackle, and then another tackle for a big gain. Good stuff.

by Reno_Chief on Sep 4, 2009 11:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

have they tried him as a KR/PR?

With his small size & apparent ability to break tackles he seems ideal for that position.

by jmcgoblue on Sep 4, 2009 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

all last year

he was servicable, but not great

by stagdsp on Sep 4, 2009 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

heh...

obviously I couldn’t bring myself to pay that much attention last year :D

by jmcgoblue on Sep 4, 2009 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Battle missed block after block last night

Savage looked better period. Don’t know why you would say that about battle winning a job? He lost his job if anything because he can’t block, remember how hard hailey was on Bowe for not blocking? He demoted him to 3rd string, so what do you think he will do to a 3rd string who can’t block?

step 1 collect underwear
step 2 ?????????????
step 3 profit

by I_AM_NINJA_2 on Sep 4, 2009 1:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs