Chiefs Training Camp: Too Early To Predict Rookie Starters, GM Scott Pioli Says

by Joel Thorman on Aug 9, 2010 11:00 AM CDT in Chiefs Training Camp

As we've talked about before, there are five 2010 NFL draft picks on the Kansas City Chiefs roster that are fighting for a starting job in training camp.

Safety Eric Berry, slot receiver Dexter McCluster and nickelback Javier Arenas have been running with the first team the majority of training camp so you gotta think they're closing in on locking up a starting job.

Tight end Tony Moeaki and safety Kendrick Lewis are two others that have seen first team action and are in the midst of a battle to claim the starting job.

Chiefs GM Scott Pioli told Jack Harry of NBC Action News in a video segment that aired on Sunday night that (not surprisingly) he's not ready to claim any starting jobs yet.

"To be starting, I think it's too early to predict who starts because different guys were drafted at different points and, based on the situation they're coming into at their position, there's going to be a different transition period," he said. "We're expecting and hoping that all will contribute in some way whether it's Eric at the top, the middle or the bottom. We're hoping they all contribute in some way."

Outside linebacker Cameron Sheffield could see some reps at outside linebacker. The starting outside linebacker jobs are pretty much locked up but he's been coming on strong recently. Jon Asamoah meanwhile appears to be a player for the future and not 2010. The Chiefs were down to their third string left guard and it wasn't Asamoah so we're not sure how much time he'll see absent an injury.

So through a week-and-a-half of camp, there could be as few as one rookie starter and as many as five.

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Arenas replacing Carr?

We will have one of the fastest secondary units in the league….however we will also have one of the smallest. I fear the taller receivers (Floyd) simply out jumping Arenas on those fade routes….good lord. Hopefully he proves me wrong like Flowers.

by KC_CZAR on Aug 9, 2010 11:09 AM CDT reply actions

Nah

Looks like Arenas will be at the nickel.

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by Joel Thorman on Aug 9, 2010 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions

Technically there will only be one rookie starter though... right?

I mean, Berry will start.

Dexter and Arenas aren’t part of the conventional “base set” starters… (a situational WR/RB and a Nickelback)

Depending on what Moeaki and Lewis do, I think only one rookie “starter” should be expected.

"Reach for new elevation; and see just how high we can go. Full blown determination; will take us further than we know. My own anticipation; keeps the fire from burning out, It's time for domination... no one can ever take us down" - Pillar - "For the Love of the Game"

by Red N Gold Beast on Aug 9, 2010 11:16 AM CDT reply actions

Right

If they open in a nickel, then Arenas is a starter and same with McCluster if they open up with three receivers. But I think you know hwat I mean.

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by Joel Thorman on Aug 9, 2010 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah...

And if you want to count the Slot Wr and Nickel as starters I guess I could go with that… I’m just saying conventionally they’d both be listed as 3rd WR and 3rd CB.

I think they’re key for what the Chiefs want to accomplish, don’t get me wrong… it just goes against everything we’re used to as Chiefs fans. We have gotten too used to the conventional Cover 2 that only used 4 DBs regularly. Also we got really used to that 2 WR, 2 TE Single back set that LJ ran out of. Just not used to 3rd WR and NB being a big part of our team.

by Red N Gold Beast on Aug 9, 2010 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions

Yep...With the multitude of formations in the NFL

the term “starter” is almost meaningless.

If an opponent fields a I-formation 2 TE set on the first offensive play of the game, and then plays mostly 3 WR sets the rest of the game, Arenas won’t technically be a starter, but he’ll be on the field a ton.

I am still crossing my fingers that Moeaki beats out Pope for the #1 TE job.

Ryan Succop will be the kicker for the AFC in the 2011 Pro Bowl

by PVChiefsfan on Aug 9, 2010 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions

And,

This isn’t really the type of draft class to really care who starts. Yeah, Berry is an every down starter… but what we’ve got in Cexter and Arenas (and Moeaki, possibly) are really weighed more as key role players.

by Red N Gold Beast on Aug 9, 2010 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Cexter? Make that Dexter.

by Red N Gold Beast on Aug 9, 2010 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions

Sounds Cexy. ;)

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My long, drawn-out predictions that no one cares about, nor will bother to remember:

1. Todd Haley will still be the Chiefs Head Coach up to the 2011 season.
2. Clancy Pendergast won't make it to the 2010 season and was never intended to. Last-minute hire for a position that needed to be filled.
3. Todd Haley will not be the OC at the start of the 2010 season.

by jbj8609 on Aug 9, 2010 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions

I knew someone would read that and hear "Sexter"... lol.

by Red N Gold Beast on Aug 9, 2010 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions

key role players

something we didn’t have to many of last season, regardless they may not be labeled as “starters” but they are going to see significant time on the field.

This is our year.

by jrcnc on Aug 9, 2010 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions

Yep...

I like how we have a RB with strength +3, another RB with agility +5 and our slot receiver wears the Pads of Elusiveness (Acceleration +8, Agility +6, and 15% chance for invisibility against defender)

God I’m a nerd.

by Red N Gold Beast on Aug 9, 2010 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions

only one starter!

Pioli certainly must not read AP then……

This is our year.

by jrcnc on Aug 9, 2010 11:17 AM CDT reply actions

Offensive formations

I have been really excited to watch the TE battle at camp, as I am Hawkeye fan so I am very high to Tony M., But I know Haley isn’t a big proponent of using TE’s heavily in the passing game, but I would love to see us run a two TE Ace set with Moeaki on the right (Gonzalez’s old spot) and Pope on the left (playing the Jason Dunn role). That would help us with run support to the left and provide four quality receivers on the field, as both Moeaki and Pope have decent hands. Then depending on the situations you could run some flex type play with Charles or McCluster out of the back field for additional passing options, while hopefully opening up better down field holes for Charles and Jones.

Just a thought but I use to love this formation when we had Priest in the back field, it tends to be very dynamic for the offense and hard to queue off of for the defense, also good to audible out of.

by Stone Throwers on Aug 9, 2010 11:18 AM CDT reply actions

Also with a guy like Dexter who can pass

You could have a TE or WR “miss a block” be open for that little dump pass that could go for 10-15 yrds.

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by Scaryclouds on Aug 9, 2010 11:23 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

It seems like the question on positions may come dow to WR

If Dexter is the 3rd, we know who 1 and 2 are….who fills the void at 4 and 5? Or will they keep 6?

Winning begins with Attitude - Haley and Pioli will be winners in KC!

I'll forever be a Chiefs fan! Only God himself could take that away from me, but when I get to my great reward, I'll rejoin two bigger fans, my Mom and Dad.

by Lanier63 on Aug 9, 2010 11:25 AM CDT reply actions

Urban at 4 and Lawrence at 5 maybe?

Chiefs - back in the playoffs in 2011.

by TRSChief on Aug 9, 2010 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions

keep an eye on Urban

I watched some of the past two seasons Cardinal playoff games, and while Urban isn’t flashy, he is consistantly on the field and making catches and helping draw coverage away from the other recievers.

This is our year.

by jrcnc on Aug 9, 2010 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions

a guy that can "Catch" the ball

seems like a dream…lol

Winning begins with Attitude - Haley and Pioli will be winners in KC!

I'll forever be a Chiefs fan! Only God himself could take that away from me, but when I get to my great reward, I'll rejoin two bigger fans, my Mom and Dad.

by Lanier63 on Aug 9, 2010 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions

I really hope he sticks

also hope Pope is the 2nd TE, we need some big targets out there.

This is our year.

by jrcnc on Aug 9, 2010 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions

Teams will have a very difficult time "gameplanning" for the Chief's. Haley and Weiss will

be mixing formations and personel to make it very difficult to defend and fun for us to watch.

by jcox31mc on Aug 9, 2010 11:34 AM CDT reply actions

I want to see Weis coach in a wheelchair on the sidelines...it would be awesome.

by KC_CZAR on Aug 9, 2010 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions

Jon Asamoah meanwhile appears to be a player for the future and not 2010

I knew he wouldn’t start … and SOMEONE on AP is gonna owe me some Bryant’s BBQ bigtime … now if I can just remember who it is I made that bet with

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by upamtn on Aug 9, 2010 11:38 AM CDT reply actions

the Guppy?

Winning begins with Attitude - Haley and Pioli will be winners in KC!

I'll forever be a Chiefs fan! Only God himself could take that away from me, but when I get to my great reward, I'll rejoin two bigger fans, my Mom and Dad.

by Lanier63 on Aug 9, 2010 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions

Anne Retart?

no, I remember…it was Turtle.

Ryan Succop will be the kicker for the AFC in the 2011 Pro Bowl

by PVChiefsfan on Aug 9, 2010 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions

Let's see, there's about a thousand threads since the draft.....

if you start right now, and work around the clock, you could find them by the MNF game….maybe.

"Now, now, my good man, this is no time for making enemies."
~Voltaire~ (On his death bed, when asked by a priest to renounce Satan)

by TheK-man on Aug 9, 2010 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions

wanna say it was Chiefsfan85 ...

of course, I’ll let ANYONE buy me lunch or dinner at Bryant’s

whoever it was they SHOULD be reading this like a good, loyal Chiefs fan and AP blogger and “’fess up” to their “sin” of saying “Asamoah WILL start the first game”

by upamtn on Aug 9, 2010 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm surpised that anyone thought Asamoah would start this year.

His only hope to see any action is an injury, or maybe two injuries.

"Now, now, my good man, this is no time for making enemies."
~Voltaire~ (On his death bed, when asked by a priest to renounce Satan)

by TheK-man on Aug 9, 2010 12:15 PM CDT reply actions

It's pretty clear he was drafted as a project

considering that neither of our starting guards will be playing football in 5 years.

Ryan Succop will be the kicker for the AFC in the 2011 Pro Bowl

by PVChiefsfan on Aug 9, 2010 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions

a novel concept...

draft QUALITY OL that can play in the future… BEFORE you absolutely need them.

brilliant

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 9, 2010 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions

I prefer the wait until it's too late

And have the situation explode in your face approach

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by Scaryclouds on Aug 9, 2010 12:53 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I prefer the...

bring in old retread OL players that have no real business being on anyones roster and then waiting three more years to replace them with another old retread player cough Turley cough *

by Stone Throwers on Aug 9, 2010 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions