NFL Roster Cuts: Fitting The Chiefs Inside Linebackers Into The 53

by Joel Thorman on Aug 31, 2010 5:24 PM CDT in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Preseason

The top four inside linebackers on the Kansas City Chiefs roster are locks to make the final 53 man roster. They won't be affected much by Saturday's big cut down day where NFL teams must go from 75 to 53 players on the roster.

Chiefs coach Todd Haley called the competition at inside linebacker one of the best of the offseason but predictably wouldn't comment on whether it's Derrick Johnson and Jovan Belcher or Demorrio Williams and Corey Mays taking the lead.

"We have more information," Haley said at his Tuesday afternoon press conference. "We have more snaps but fortunately we're going to have even more snaps. I think those guys are fighting. They all want to play."

Though Haley suggests that they'll all have a big role on the team, it was Williams and Mays who started 16 games last year and DJ and Belcher saw limited time and didn't have a "big" impact. I mention this because it's more likely that one group will eventually take the lead here. I'm not sure how often you want to be rotating them in and out.

Haley said beyond the top four inside linebackers, Cory Greenwood is a guy who's made them take notice more often on special teams.

"Justin Cole's in the mix,' he said. "David Herron's stepped up considerably. He's a late addition last year that's quietly gone about his business and continued to get better. I'd say there's more competition across the board at that inside linebacker spot which I'm excited about."

Sounds like it's been a decent position group through the offseason. Seven inside linebackers will be whittled down by one or two players by Saturday.

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my new favorite "long shot" for the roster

"This Cory Greenwood guy was a little bit of an unknown and has made us take notice," Haley said. "He continues to run down on the special teams and make plays. All of a sudden, if that’s something that he ends up being real good for us at, then you have to start talking about how to get him on the team. If he’s on the team, we know that we aren’t going to carry 14 specialists. We’ll have to put guys on the team who can do both."

this should be the most exciting Chiefs team in years! Most major needs filled with playmakers, and the league's best coaching staff... 10-6 a possibility?

by stagdsp on Aug 31, 2010 5:30 PM CDT reply actions

LBs

last year, they kept 10 LBs,
5 ILB, 5 OLB

So, if they do the same this year…

Hali, Studebaker, Vrabel, Sheffield, Walters

DJ, DW, Belcher, Mays

That really only leaves 1 more LB spot, IF they keep the same number as last year….

I hope that it’s Cory Greenwood, but it could be Cole or Herron

this should be the most exciting Chiefs team in years! Most major needs filled with playmakers, and the league's best coaching staff... 10-6 a possibility?

by stagdsp on Aug 31, 2010 5:41 PM CDT reply actions

David Herron "15 yard fouled" himself out of a position.

I also think Pioli should go with the Canuck.

by craig in calgary on Aug 31, 2010 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions

so you think after 2 season the GM of the chiefs should be fired?

O.o

by Home skillet on Aug 31, 2010 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't think he was referring to the GM, he was referring to Herron.

by werewolf_1979 on Aug 31, 2010 7:25 PM CDT up reply actions

That was my initial reaction too

But I’d hope Pioli and Haley don’t make such knee-jerk reactions based on one play.

by Tarkus on Aug 31, 2010 9:40 PM CDT up reply actions

But, really, what has David Herron proved?

He certainly hasnt done anything spectacular besides costing our team 15 yards. Its not the fact that he did it, its the fact that his bubble was already close to popping when he did it that will affect him greatly

Squirtle. 'Nuff said.

by SuperTurtle on Sep 1, 2010 12:07 AM CDT up reply actions

for the record

they kept
5CB
4S
2 NT
4 DE
4 RB
1 FB
3 TE
4 QB
5 WR
3 OT
3 OG
2 OC
and 3 specialists

this should be the most exciting Chiefs team in years! Most major needs filled with playmakers, and the league's best coaching staff... 10-6 a possibility?

by stagdsp on Aug 31, 2010 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions

of course, they made some moves throughout the year that changed this

I obviously would expect more than 3 OT, less than 4QB, more than 5 WR this year

this should be the most exciting Chiefs team in years! Most major needs filled with playmakers, and the league's best coaching staff... 10-6 a possibility?

by stagdsp on Aug 31, 2010 6:08 PM CDT up reply actions

I think they'll keep 5 safeties this year and 4 corners

Flowers, Carr, Arenas and Leggett.

Berry, Lewis, McGraw, Langford with Washington as a CB/S.

by bh13 on Aug 31, 2010 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree

this should be the most exciting Chiefs team in years! Most major needs filled with playmakers, and the league's best coaching staff... 10-6 a possibility?

by stagdsp on Aug 31, 2010 6:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

by Chiefs4Life on Sep 1, 2010 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions

Are you sure about last year's OL count?

I think they had a merry-go-round up front. Harris, Richardson, Ndukwe, Alleman, Albert, Waters, Niswanger, ~~Brown~~, O’Callaghan, Smith. Did I miss any? That’s 9. And going into the season, Goff was part of the 53, I think, too.

But I think 8 is a likely number for this season, with a pair of 2-position backups plus the extra C. If that’s the case, Brown might not stick, and I’m not sure they’re done with him. So, 9 this year?

"I ain't lyin' 'bout nothin'."
"Oh? So what exactly are you lying about?"

by hmills110 on Aug 31, 2010 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions

that was the beginning of the season

there were others that were added/dropped later, B Rich and Harris did some PS time, Goff some IR, if I remember right.

anyway, I think they could go with
Albert, Waters, Weigmann, Lilja, O’Call along with B Rich, Niswanger, Asamoah and Brown which would make 9… unless they slide Brown onto the PS

this should be the most exciting Chiefs team in years! Most major needs filled with playmakers, and the league's best coaching staff... 10-6 a possibility?

by stagdsp on Aug 31, 2010 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions

I bet they could hide Brown on PS, although the Iggles might be targeting OLs...

"I ain't lyin' 'bout nothin'."
"Oh? So what exactly are you lying about?"

by hmills110 on Aug 31, 2010 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Hey Mills

So it would be B.Albert, B.Waters, C.Weigmann, R.Lilja, R. O’Callaghan. Backups would be B.Richardson, I. Ndukwe, R. Niswanger, J. Asamoah, and C.Brown right?
I’m pretty happy about how well J.Asamoah is playing, he already is a good run blocker, and IMO will be a great Guard for our team in the future.

Disclaimer: Comments above are not meant to be taken with a grain of salt.

by CPT.Caveman on Aug 31, 2010 9:29 PM CDT up reply actions

I could see it shaking out about the same this year

I guess it comes down to how much they like some of the inside guys and if Sheffield’s healthy enough to not IR.

If Sheffield’s good to go, I could see them keeping Herron and Greenwood if they like them more than Walters.

by bh13 on Aug 31, 2010 5:58 PM CDT up reply actions

that'd be a shame

Walters has outplayed Herron and Greenwood in the preseason, and he was on the 53 last year…

I would hate to see Sheffield go to IR, of course.

this should be the most exciting Chiefs team in years! Most major needs filled with playmakers, and the league's best coaching staff... 10-6 a possibility?

by stagdsp on Aug 31, 2010 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions

I like Walters too

It’s just a question of how they see them. They could just as easily keep Herron and try to get Greenwood on the practice squad.

by bh13 on Aug 31, 2010 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Might come down to

who they think they could sneak onto the practice squad. Walters has looked solid to me in the preseason. Consistent too

The Chiefs will finish .500 or better in 2010.

by Tony Perkins on Aug 31, 2010 6:08 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

that has to be a factor

this should be the most exciting Chiefs team in years! Most major needs filled with playmakers, and the league's best coaching staff... 10-6 a possibility?

by stagdsp on Aug 31, 2010 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Too bad we aren't having this same conversation about the QB spot.

Disclaimer: Comments above are not meant to be taken with a grain of salt.

by CPT.Caveman on Aug 31, 2010 7:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Can we actually play without a QB :)

Ninja Ass

by Steve_Chiefs on Aug 31, 2010 8:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Well with Plunko in isn't it like not having a QB :p

I would hate to see Cassel get hurt, because then we’re living on a prayer with Brodie. Man could QB, be our weakest spot right now?

Disclaimer: Comments above are not meant to be taken with a grain of salt.

by CPT.Caveman on Aug 31, 2010 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Definitely

That will be true all along the roster. Guys like say, Colin Brown and Dion Gales may not make the 53 if they feel they can stash them on the PS and keep someone they think is a little more ready to contribute right now.

by bh13 on Aug 31, 2010 6:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Walters versus Herron and Greenwood is apples and oranges (outside versus inside)

"I ain't lyin' 'bout nothin'."
"Oh? So what exactly are you lying about?"

by hmills110 on Aug 31, 2010 8:04 PM CDT up reply actions

true... but, they do factor into the total # of LBs on the 53

I’m speaking to the importance of LBs for ST purposes at the bottom of the roster, they may not care as much whether they are the 5th OLB or 5th ILB, if they are a ST stud, they could make the roster

this should be the most exciting Chiefs team in years! Most major needs filled with playmakers, and the league's best coaching staff... 10-6 a possibility?

by stagdsp on Aug 31, 2010 8:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Point taken. I think, though, that other than Greenwood, who's chosen for upside (sick measurables),

I think their ability to contribute to regular D is the deciding factor.

"I ain't lyin' 'bout nothin'."
"Oh? So what exactly are you lying about?"

by hmills110 on Aug 31, 2010 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions

agreed.

I just don’t see the 5th ILB or 5th OLB contributing much on defense, barring a couple of injuries

this should be the most exciting Chiefs team in years! Most major needs filled with playmakers, and the league's best coaching staff... 10-6 a possibility?

by stagdsp on Aug 31, 2010 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Vs a 5th or 6th WR

That they could hide with OW as a RB

Ninja Ass

by Steve_Chiefs on Aug 31, 2010 8:52 PM CDT up reply actions

P

The Chiefs will finish .500 or better in 2010.

by Tony Perkins on Aug 31, 2010 6:06 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

i could see a rotation

Williams/Mays on run downs
DJ and Belcher on passing downs

by Home skillet on Aug 31, 2010 7:18 PM CDT reply actions

basically like last year

this should be the most exciting Chiefs team in years! Most major needs filled with playmakers, and the league's best coaching staff... 10-6 a possibility?

by stagdsp on Aug 31, 2010 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Corey mays should be cut, or his role delegated to a backup/situational backer

Maybe come in to try and stuff the run, like he’s supposedly good at..

I just feel like the guy had all of last season to prove he is a starting caliber nfl lb, and didn’t. We didn’t even get to see preseason standout corey mays this year, why waste time developing garbage, when we could start with something better right now?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNm2rFzdvW8&feature=related

by LHO on Aug 31, 2010 7:19 PM CDT reply actions

He should of been replace already

but he wasn’t so now i think he makes he roster

i wonder if DMC/Arenas can play LB? _

by Home skillet on Aug 31, 2010 7:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Where can I read what Charles said?

I’ve been on the horne greenwood bandwagons since before camp. Keep working boys

Tough times never last, but tough people do.

by MadMartigan816 on Aug 31, 2010 7:22 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Well if you are talking about the 610 interview

Charles was asked what is Cassel’s strong point?

Charles: “Um, ah, He is my teammate.”

That is a

strong Statement

Ninja Ass

by Steve_Chiefs on Aug 31, 2010 8:55 PM CDT up reply actions

wow

this should be the most exciting Chiefs team in years! Most major needs filled with playmakers, and the league's best coaching staff... 10-6 a possibility?

by stagdsp on Aug 31, 2010 8:58 PM CDT up reply actions