Chiefs Training Camp: Checking In On Positional Battles
by Joel Thorman on Aug 2, 2010 7:53 AM CDT
in Chiefs Training Camp
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PrintLast week Chiefs GM Scott Pioli talked about understanding why certain players are on the first team playing more and why others are not. Usually, he says, it comes down to a rookie vs. veteran thing. The rookies need more time understanding the system while the veterans don't.
With that in mind, I wanted to take a look at where we stand with a few of the position battles currently going on in training camp.
Inside linebacker
The first two days of training camp it was just like last year -- Demorrio Williams and Corey Mays on the first team.
By Sunday, it was Derrick Johnson and Jovan Belcher. Ironically, I thought Williams had his best day on Sunday while playing on the second team. He blew up several plays and seemed to be in the backfield a decent amount.
These guys will switch it up on a near-daily basis I'd imagine.
Center
Rudy Niswanger is the early leader. He's ran with the first team every day so far.
Then again, Chiefs GM Scott Pioli reminded us last week not to pay too much attention to the depth chart. He said there's no reason to give a veteran (like Casey Wiegmann) more time than a younger guy (like Rudy Niswanger) because the vet understands how everything works.
So while Niswanger has been running with the ones, we're not sure if that matters yet.
Safety
In the early goings, it appears it's going to be Jon McGraw next to Eric Berry. McGraw has been seeing first team work early on.
Kendrick Lewis has been on the second team paired with a variety of players from DaJuan Morgan to Reshard Langford.
So from my vantage point, Berry is solidified at one safety spot. He's been there from just about his first practice back in May. The battle comes down to McGraw and Lewis and it's going to be a good one but McGraw, as expected as the vet, has the early advantage.
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Interesting...........
I expect Casey Wiegmann to win this battle, we need more stability in that postion then Niswanger can offer
If Wiegmann wins out, it's a failure
They’ll need to draft early next year someone to take over, as Wiegmann has no more than a year or two at best. And given his limited size, he’s not the type of guy to move the massive NTs the Chiefs will increasingly see as the league continues transitioning to 3-4 defenses. I hope Niswanger uses this competition as a means of improvement.
I think you make a great point..........
about drafting someone next year, but having Wiegmann win it is far from a failure, he has always been called small but has always performed at a high level. I think playing Niswanger another year fails the team and the fans, Wiegmann by far is the better player and I am excited to see him finish his playing years here.
While the 3-4 defense is huge now
This too shall pass. The league went wild about the 3-4 awhile back, then the Tampa 2 became huge, now the 3-4 is back…
Copycat league, my friend. Notice the 2 SB teams last year ran a 4-3?
All that considered though, I am rooting for Rudy to win out, because that would show that he’s improved.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
It's not a failure because we want the best man to get the starting job.
But i do see what your saying, and agree that we need to address the center position early on in next years draft.
penut, I don't think it's a matter of Niswanger can't offer stability ...
in fact, he’s much younger than Weigmann, so ultimately he could offrer far more stability simply by playing many years past the point at which Weigmann retires …
as for which of thosed two is a better choice, that’s what this camp is all about … Weigmann will push Rudy, and will be able to coach him, teach him … and it’s entirely possible that Rudy maintains his hold on starting, which would mean Casey’s taught him some things and he’s the better opton of the two … that would be a good thing, that and knowing Weigmann is there if he gets hurt or whatever, and continues to coach him up all year long
all in all, not a bad thing …
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
Whitlock Rocks!
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Why can't Williams AND Johnson start?
I don’t understand how the Chiefs are playing the RILB and LILB differently, and why they can’t play both of their best ILBs.
I think that is the best combo as well........
I like the speed those two have. With Williams being more consistent and Johnson’s big play ability I like this combo.
They could
I’m just going with what they’ve presented and so far it’s been those guys lining up as a pair.
Understood...............
Just putting out my preseason wish list. This is something I wanted to see last year.
Center
they may just be resting Weigmann up and not trying to wear is body out before the season starts, and try to see how hard Niswanger is pushing out in the heat to keep his job.
This is our year.
Because they're trying to find whay works best
Who’s on first now doesn’t matter now. What’s going to happen on opening night is what counts. The coa ches want to find out who will be the best in any situation that may arise. It makes no difference who the reader thinks is better. It’s the coaches job and judgement that counts. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand gernades
Center thoughts was Casey brought in to nentor the third round pick?
As much as I like both Rudy and Casey they are both undersized, and Rudy was not stout enough last year, and Casey the same in donkeyland. The only reason I thought Casey was brought back was to mentor someone—-who else but the third round pick?
undersized?
Rudy is actually to big to be a Center. He’s like 6’5, 6’6 and that is really tall for a center.
This is our year.
Very true
At that height it’s tough to get leverage.
Weig may be lighter, but he’s also 3 inches shorter. That’s a pretty big deal.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
That's EXACTLY what I've wanted
For the last year! I always thought he would be a better guard than C.
He’s athletic, but not that strong. Seems like in a ZB system he’d fit in better at G.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
I know this has been brought up and discussed in depth
but I wouldn’t mind seeing.
Albert-Lilja-Waters-Niswanger-O’Call/Colin Brown
Utilizing Weigmann and Asamoah as rotational guys.
Im not 100% sold on Waters at Center, but if it allows us to keep Lilja at his original position, and help shore up the right side of the line, I hope they at least take a look at it.
This is our year.
That would be interesting
It seems like they’re keeping Lilja on the right side, though.
Could be that they want to keep continuity as much as they can…
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
joel
Here looking for you. Where are you?
With the 5th pick in the 2010 draft the Kansas City Chiefs select Eric Berry of Tennessee!
by dahd11 on Aug 2, 2010 9:26 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
somebody here said they saw him
With the 5th pick in the 2010 draft the Kansas City Chiefs select Eric Berry of Tennessee!
by dahd11 on Aug 2, 2010 9:39 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
this is what he said in the above post
It’s a rainy morning in St. Joe but the Kansas City Chiefs will be outdoors for the first of two practices. I’m not in St. Joe for the morning session but I will be this afternoon.
I'm rooting for McGraw
I know best case scenario is Lewis wins the spot, but I like the way McGraw plays.
He’s physically limited, sure, but he’s a good hitter and he’s usually in the right spot. I think he’s a lot better off lining up with Berry (who has great speed) than Brown (who’s even slower than McGraw). Berry’s speed and coverage ability will allow McGraw to focus more on the run.
I’d be comfortable with that S tandem for this year.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
I really like
Jon Mcgraws character and work ethic, just not sure about the speed.
"Every human is afforded the right to be stupid, unfortunately some abuse the privelage"
Undersized poor word choice
Underwieght more to the point as Rudy was down to 285 at seasons end. He was manhandled on the line of scrimmage regularly. So was Magee and that was his big drawback in the reports I read about him in that he had peeked with regards to strength and maybe wouldn’t be a good prospect as he never would be stout enough for the pro game. We will see. By the way is Colin Brown taking Wade Smith’s spot as utility o-lineman?
McGraw early on to help teach Berry
Lewis later on to be safety of the future(hopefully)
Niswanger is so full of Fail … urg
i wish we would of drafted a center(like eric olsen) this year
Wait...
Berry has the number one spot locked up? Come on, where’s the competition?
2010 Chiefs are on the rise. This is the most excited I've been since 'Nam...
That was meant to be read like this...
Berry has the number one spot locked up? Come on, where's the competition?
2010 Chiefs are on the rise. This is the most excited I've been since 'Nam...
by kcchiefsfan72 on Aug 2, 2010 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions
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