Chiefs Training Camp: First Team On Day One

On Thursday Chiefs GM Scott Pioli was on 610 Sports with Bob Fescoe talking training camp depth charts. He said not to get too wrapped up in the depth chart early on because you could have a situation where a younger guy, like Kendrick Lewis, may be seeing more time than a vet, like Jon McGraw, because the vet already understands the ints and outs of the defense.

"Sometimes when you look at people in certain situations," he said, "have an understanding of why it appears certain guys are at certain levels in the depth chart. Don't let yourself get fooled all the time."

Of course, training camp depth charts are half the fun of training camp.

So we've been fooled and we're going to take a look at the players who lined up on the first team through day one of training camp.

Offensive Line: LT Branden Albert, LG Daryl Harris, C Rudy Niswanger, RG Ryan Lilja, RT Ryan O'Callaghan

Harris was in for Brian Waters, who was apparently out with some sort of injury. I imagine Waters will be taking his spot back when his ankle isn't wrapped in ice.

Niswanger is competing with veteran Casey Wiegmann for the center position. This will be one of the more interesting battles in camp.

Receivers: WR Dwayne Bowe, WR Chris Chambers

No surprises here. These two are going to be number one and number two, however it shakes out. The Chiefs didn't open in a three receiver set so no Dexter McCluster here.

Running Backs: RB Thomas Jones, FB Tim Castille

Don't look at Jones as the "starter" at this point. This just happened to be the formation the Chiefs opened in. He and Charles, who is returning from injury, will be splitting carries.

Interesting to see Castille over Mike Cox.

Tight End : TE Leonard Pope

Another non-shocker. My guess is Pope will enter the season as the starter with Tony Moeaki nipping at his heels.

Quarterback: QB Matt Cassel

I'm not starting a quarterback controversy.

***

Defensive Line: DE Glenn Dorsey, NT Ron Edwards, DE Tyson Jackson

Same as last year.  No surprises but I'm looking to see if Shaun Smith is going to push Edwards.

Linebackers: OLB Tamba Hali, ILB Demorrio Williams, ILB Corey Mays, OLB Mike Vrabel

Again, no change from last year. Derrick Johnson and Jovan Belcher saw time on the inside and, as we've predicted before, that will be the best training camp battle.

Secondary: CB Brandon Flowers, S Reshard Langford, S Jon McGraw, CB Brandon Carr

Three out of the four pieces are there. Flowers and Carr are no-brainers while Langford was the beneficiary of no Eric Berry at camp. We'll see how long McGraw can stave off the younger guy, Kendrick Lewis.