Chiefs C Rudy Niswanger Doesn't Appear To Be A Candidate To Be Moved To Guard

by Joel Thorman on Mar 27, 2010 1:56 PM CDT in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Season

A lot of folks suggested this offseason that the Chiefs sign a center to compete with or replace incumbent Rudy Niswanger.

Well, they did just that signing veteran Casey Wiegmann a few weeks ago.

However, just because Wiegmann is signed, it's certainly no guarantee he'll be the starter, according to Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star.

"I think he'll have to compete for the job and I think that will be an interesting competition between he and Rudy Niswanger," Teicher told Bob Fescoe on 610 Sports Thursday morning. "I don't think Rudy Niswanger is going to let this thing go on without a fight."

I think the majority of us feel Wiegmann will win that battle, which brings us to the next question.

Does Niswanger have a spot on the offensive line if it's not center, perhaps at guard?

"No, I don't think so," Teicher said. "I think Rudy could play guard but I think right now they're looking at him as a center. At guard, they've got Brian Waters and Ryan Lilja so what are they going to do with Niswanger at guard? I think right now those two guys (Wiegmann and Niswanger) -- one of them will be the center and the other will be a backup."

I'm going to go ahead and agree with Teicher here in that the Chiefs don't have any plans to move him to guard.

However, they've been known to shake things up before and without Wade Smith anymore, I imagine they'll be at least interested in how he could do at other spots on the interior of the line.

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Comments

most teams have back up centers anyways, why not have it be a guy who has started soem games

by teabaggingexper on Mar 27, 2010 2:01 PM CDT reply actions

welcome back :)

haven’t seen you around much lately

"For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius." Scott "Young Frankenstein" Pioli

by Steve_Chiefs on Mar 27, 2010 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions

oh, i am always around. I just do more reading than posting, typically someone will present/argue my point of view anyways.

by teabaggingexper on Mar 27, 2010 9:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Dawson-to-Taylor=Hermsthe Man (from Yahoo) = Rin Tin Tin (from Bob Gretz . com) = Troll

Go spout your hate somewhere else, Troll. Your number is up…I have it right here. I’ll “dog” you wherever you go.

Buh bye, now.

by Scott B. on Mar 27, 2010 9:55 PM CDT up reply actions

who are you talking too?

by teabaggingexper on Mar 31, 2010 8:42 PM CDT up reply actions

i think we'll draft a center and PS him

And I think Niswanger will be backup guard/center. Then after Weigmann leaves Rudy can compete with the guy we drafted.

by Vince D on Mar 27, 2010 2:03 PM CDT reply actions

The article kinda disputes that plan.

"For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius." Scott "Young Frankenstein" Pioli

by Steve_Chiefs on Mar 27, 2010 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions

ehhhh ... I think we need to get a C in the draft ... personally I'd love Walton at 2B

Defensive picks with 1 and 2A … Weigmann is stopgap at best, Rudy is Rudy … so we need a top C to groom and who better to coach and lead the kid along than Weigmann (and Waters and Lilja)

"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
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hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!

by upamtn on Mar 27, 2010 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions

PS him? Practice Squad?

Niswanger isn’t eligible for the practice squad. No player that has played in more than 8 games is eligible…

by Dagda on Mar 27, 2010 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions

he meant the newly drafted rookie

I like that plan

* KC now has the best coaching staff in the league
* 9-7 is a real possibility in 2010 IF the Chiefs get 4 new starters
* KC will NOT draft a LT in the first round, and the draft WILL be heavy on defense

by stagdsp on Mar 27, 2010 6:35 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Practice Squad

If we draft a rookie, and then try to put him on our PS, doesn’t he have to clear waivers? Isn’t that how we got Thigpen from Minnesota after they spent a 7th on him?

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by PVChiefsfan on Mar 27, 2010 8:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes

He’d have to clear waivers

Get serious, this isn't franchise mode in madden. This is real life.

by T-Rich on Mar 27, 2010 10:25 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't

we tried the same thing with a guy named Lilja and how did that work out for us. You don’t spen a second round pick on a guy you plan to place on the practice squad.

by Tigkoly on Mar 27, 2010 11:09 PM CDT up reply actions

My hope...

My hope is that Niswanger will be our back-up Center. I don’t care how old Wiegmann is, he has to be better than the Niswanger.

by ChiefMojo on Mar 27, 2010 2:04 PM CDT reply actions

What is wrong with have Niswanger

as a back-up C/G, I have said all along that he CAN actually play guard, and having him as a back-up Center MIGHT be feasable. I just dont like him at C. He plays a better guard and that is what he was originally brought in for. Either way the guy is perfect for a back-up

by readANDgold58 on Mar 27, 2010 2:16 PM CDT reply actions

I always thought that's why we let W. Smith go was because Rudy was basically the same player

by irishking44 on Mar 27, 2010 2:24 PM CDT reply actions

Casey short-term solution

Rudy was going to get Casell killed if we left him at center. Wiegmann is a stop gap move but he’ll be an upgrade. I’m betting on 2nd and 3rd rnd picks that’ll bring some youth to the O-line. Now we’ve got quality veterans who’ll show the rookies what it takes to be a winner in the NFL. I think the Chief’s have made some shrewd decisions in FA .. bringing in Thomas is an excellent example of what the Chief’s are doing.

by RatsoReily on Mar 27, 2010 2:35 PM CDT reply actions

Thomas at NT is iffy ... stopgap at best ... IMNSHO

"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
Whitlock Rocks!
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!

by upamtn on Mar 27, 2010 10:44 PM CDT up reply actions

For god sakes men

Look at this pic of Rudy though!

I believe that that is Cassel on the ground in front of him, while Rudy is doing an effing facepalm

by readANDgold58 on Mar 27, 2010 2:50 PM CDT reply actions

I believe he's saying...

Sorry Matt…I would have thrown a block…but I have something in my eye…again.

Don't Fuccop Succop

by chicks_love_chiefs on Mar 27, 2010 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions

He is saluting those 2 charger guys that seem to be in some kind of a passionate embrace.

Yeah...but we beat the donkeys like a rented mule.

by Idahochief on Mar 27, 2010 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions

I would like to add that I find all of it rather disturbing.

Yeah...but we beat the donkeys like a rented mule.

by Idahochief on Mar 27, 2010 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions

If he's beaten out for his spot

I expect Rudy to be the backup for both guards and C. I hope Weigman’s got it, because that is Cassel underneath the sod. This would make a great caption this.

Matt: (spitting dirt out of his mouth) Dammit Rudy!!!

Rudy: (wiping his brow) Sorry Matt, they ganged up on me.

Poor Rudy. He is a trooper. Gotta love him. Don’t gotta start him.

Kansas City Chiefs - 2020 Team of the Decade

by skunk420 on Mar 27, 2010 3:02 PM CDT reply actions

Weigmann was brought in b/c he's so familiar with McDaniels Offense

Rudy will be the starter

Book it NAOW!

by LHO on Mar 27, 2010 3:26 PM CDT reply actions

Pioli is just as familiar with McDaniels Offense, probably much much more...

Weigmann was brought in for competition at C, be it with Rudy or a rookie. Rudy will not be the starter unless he vastly improves during the offseason and wins the competition.

Don't Fuccop Succop

by chicks_love_chiefs on Mar 27, 2010 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Just seems like Teicher has been wrong too many times

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by woodman212 on Mar 27, 2010 3:26 PM CDT reply actions

I dont get this:

“I think Rudy could play guard but I think right now they’re looking at him as a center. At guard, they’ve got Brian Waters and Ryan Lilja so what are they going to do with Niswanger at guard?

Just last year, people were saying Waters was on his way out. Now, I know things have cooled down, but Waters IS 33 years old. If Waters was speaking out, I’d say Lilja was brought in so that Waters can be traded but I dont see that happening.

It’ll be interesting tho. Theyre both LG’s. Both considered Starters. So whos getting moved to rg?

by Petey14 on Mar 27, 2010 3:51 PM CDT reply actions

That's a good question...

I would guess Lilja, unless Waters continues to regress as he did last season.

Don't Fuccop Succop

by chicks_love_chiefs on Mar 27, 2010 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Waters was playing on a bad ankle

Waters does have some left in the tank. Otherwise why waste money on an agent?

"For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius." Scott "Young Frankenstein" Pioli

by Steve_Chiefs on Mar 27, 2010 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Definitely

I agree with you (which seems to be the norm most times)

Waters had the same problem as everyone else last year. New coaches, new schemes, new gameplans..and struggled in the first half of the season. Not to mention the injury. But he had a good 2nd half along with Albert and now that both of them have gotten comfortable, next year should be better for them both. Its hard foer me to believe that a 33 year old OG is “too old” when alot of those guys play at a high level until mid (sometimes even late) 30’s.

Heres my take on it. Lilja isnt known as a run blocker. Hes a pass protector straight up. I cant say whether his run blocking is terrible or just not spectacular, but something tells me that Waters is a better run blocker than Lilja. Because RG is important in the run game, i would ASSUME that Waters gets put at RG.

However, to keep things consistant, I can also see Waters staying put. Damnit, I want these questions answered and right now!! Hahahah.

Ohh man. Its not even April yet..this question could be around for awhile..

by Petey14 on Mar 27, 2010 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions

one should always agree with Steve lest he spit chewed oats in your face

Waters isn’t going anywhere …

"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
Whitlock Rocks!
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!

by upamtn on Mar 27, 2010 10:47 PM CDT up reply actions

I dont think

Waters is going anywhere either. At least not this season.

by Petey14 on Mar 28, 2010 11:54 PM CDT up reply actions

That's just silly.

Kansas City Chiefs - 2020 Team of the Decade

by skunk420 on Mar 27, 2010 4:51 PM CDT reply actions

Some would say he looks quite handsome at QB.

Kansas City Chiefs - 2020 Team of the Decade

by skunk420 on Mar 27, 2010 5:36 PM CDT reply actions

My wife

Ask me the other day if all the pats qb’s are G.Q. Models. Lol.

by cwebb44 on Mar 27, 2010 6:40 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

My girls (teens) think Cassell is "cuter" than Brady.

My 14 yo says that means he’s a better QB. I told her stay the hell away from AP or she’d be burnt toast.

Kansas City Chiefs - 2020 Team of the Decade

by skunk420 on Mar 27, 2010 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't think...

either will make the team.

by I_Bleed_Red. on Mar 27, 2010 5:39 PM CDT reply actions

Red, do you really think both will be cut?

I guess Waters could move to center, but who plays guard opposite Lilya? I don’t see either being let go. Not that they’re that good, but who else is there?

Kansas City Chiefs - 2020 Team of the Decade

by skunk420 on Mar 27, 2010 6:48 PM CDT reply actions

Center to me is still

a huge question, if I had to guess, solely based on Weigman’s past, he’ll be the starter. If the Chiefs have Nieswanger starting again, that’s not good.

Nieswanger has the heart and inteligence to be a great Center, but he lacks in strength and he has no animosity err nastiness to play inside, try him as a backup for O’Callahan.

by JohnNdallas on Mar 27, 2010 6:54 PM CDT reply actions

Teicher does realize you need backup guards too, right?

I imagine Niswanger will get some time in camp at Guard to see if he’s a viable backup. I’ve heard several people whose opinion i respect more than Teicher say that Niswanger has the potential to be a fine guard, potentially better than he is as center.

by VermeilLikesToCry on Mar 27, 2010 7:15 PM CDT reply actions

I don't see why not

Isn’t Waters getting older, I wonder if Niswanger can be any good at LG.

by Green-Monster on Mar 27, 2010 7:30 PM CDT reply actions

No!

by JohnNdallas on Mar 27, 2010 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions

I know Rudy played guard.

I think it was one of the 2 good years 2.7 had. I think it was right guard he played. Even if Casey starts at C, I dont think he’ll play all 16. If Rudy gets beat out, which I doubt, he can be this years Wade.

Kansas City Chiefs - 2020 Team of the Decade

by skunk420 on Mar 27, 2010 9:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Adam Teicher is a joke

by NW on Mar 27, 2010 8:33 PM CDT reply actions

Im glad that we brought back Casey

but hope fully this move sends a message to Rudy that he needs to step his game up. We need to see guys playing with a fire lit under their asses. If he can’t hold on to the starting C spot then he could be a good back up at C or G and challenge the rest of our young back ups.

by Lee Gardner III on Mar 28, 2010 12:30 AM CDT reply actions