NFL Roster Cuts: In The End, Chiefs Keep Both Niswanger And Wiegmann
by Joel Thorman on Sep 6, 2010 9:26 AM CDT
in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Preseason
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PrintAfter many comments and plenty of debate, the position battle between Rudy Niswanger and Casey Wiegmann is complete.
And we still don't know who won.
The Kansas City Chiefs kept both centers on the roster but we've yet to determine who will be the starter.
It was a classic training camp battle with the younger guy, Niswanger, going up against the crafty veteran, Casey Wiegmann.
The Chiefs seem to value hard workers and smart players like Niswanger, which is why they kept him. They also value the veteran presence and experience of guys like Wiegmann.
We're still not sure who exactly is going to be the starter entering the season. Niswanger has taken far and away the most first team snaps and has been listed under the first team on every unofficial team-issued depth chart.
The Chiefs only kept three guards on the active roster meaning it's possible Niswanger could be called in a reserve. He practiced some at guard during training camp so that's definitely an option and likely one of the reasons the Chiefs could afford to keep two centers on the roster.
The answer to the starter question would seemingly be Niswanger with as many first team snaps as he took but because of Wiegmann's experience we know he doesn't need that many training camp snaps to prepare for the season.
Your take on keeping two centers?
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Casey starts
Rudy backs up all 3 interior positions, a la Wade Smith
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 Sep 6, 2010 9:39 AM CDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
+eleventy billion
And there’s a decent chance Rudy comes in in power situations – he carries 15-20 lbs more than Casey.
The only complaint I’ve ever really heard about Wiegmann is he can get powered off the line due to his size. He makes up for a lot of it with excellent technique, but you can only do so much when you’re facing a Jamaal Williams or someone in the 350 lb range.
I always liked Casey – part of the killer line-ups we had in the early 2000’s. I’m glad we have him back – he’s going to have a nice positive impact on our line. Rudy is a versatile backup.
by Ochophosphate on Sep 6, 2010 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions
This is what I'm expecting.
Hopefully when Casey begins to significantly drop weight towards the end of the season Rudy can stepup and take over at center. I’m also hoping that Casey is teaching Rudy more technique.
Go Chiefs!!!!
Rudy's garbage
I guess we couldn’t find anyone better.
by GonzosDirtyTrailer on Sep 6, 2010 9:44 AM CDT reply actions
At C, maybe.
Wonder how awful he’d look with another eight to ten pounds at guard….just sayin’. In fact, I’ve been saying that since we picked him up in 2006.
"You've only got 10 fingers to stick in the dike. Is there a breaking point that pushes you over the edge?...Where's the limit?"
-Marty Schottenheimer
by go_saleaumua on Sep 6, 2010 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions
Justin Hartwig
Would have been a welcome addition instead of one or the other of these guys to me.
If you can sack groceries, you can sack a QB... right?
The kool-aid is now Berry flavored.
by IISaiNtII on Sep 6, 2010 9:46 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
But can Hartwig play zone?
Our linemen are asked to do a lot of different things in this scheme. Hartwig’s been successful in offenses that call for man blocking (TN, CAR, and PIT). He’s a converted college LT who’s made good at guard…
If we’d signed him in 2007, when we had a chance, he’d have been ideal because that’s what Herm wanted to run: a power offense with a mostly man to man blocking offensive line. Hence why Weigs became a Bronco in the first place.
Unless Hartwig would want to play guard, I don’t see how he would fit into our current scheme.
"You've only got 10 fingers to stick in the dike. Is there a breaking point that pushes you over the edge?...Where's the limit?"
-Marty Schottenheimer
by go_saleaumua on Sep 6, 2010 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions
He’s a converted college LT who’s made good at guard…
That’s suppsed to say “a converted college LT who’s made good at Center.” Excuse my ignorance please :)
"You've only got 10 fingers to stick in the dike. Is there a breaking point that pushes you over the edge?...Where's the limit?"
-Marty Schottenheimer
by go_saleaumua on Sep 6, 2010 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Maybe he wouldn't
But I just know from my pittsburgh perspective that they really didn’t want to get rid of this guy because they see plenty of talent there. I wouldn’t say he is elite or anything but solid. He was cut because he lacked enough versatility to back up or start any other positions on the line and they didn’t want to take the time to get him acclimated to guard.
All I know is everyone is REALLY excited about Pouncey and I think Hartwig ended up being the odd man out with tons of talent because of a surprising rise from a rookie. He would be a steal if we could pick him up and try him out.
"The dirtier the sound the best I breathe, I tried to do it all for you and you didn't do anything for me"
Great points
As Jux said though, would it be worth it to bring him in?
Really, I’m relying on hearsay about the guy, but all the Steelers games I’ve seen he’s been average to above average… how that would fit in KC, I’m not entirely sure… I DO believe though that the Steelers are implementing a zone blocking scheme, and that may be why Hartwig was sent packing…
If you can sack groceries, you can sack a QB... right?
The kool-aid is now Berry flavored.
It's a good thing.
Niswanger is smart, hard working and he doesn’t complain. He hasn’t turned into a Pro Bowl center, but he has improved every year. And he has managed to stay pretty healthy. I’m glad Casey is staying, and I’m sure Brian Waters is, too. I think they have enough in the tank to create lots of opportunities for the offense. I also think they have the right knowledge and attitude to make everyone behind them and around them better. It’s going to be a good year.
Weigman has taken 9000+ consecutive snaps at center
I just can’t see the streak being snapped by Niswanger for any reason other than injury. Niswanger was given the first team reps as a chance to differentiate himself as being clearly better & he couldn’t do it.
Predictions:
This year will be better
The Chiefs are keeping NFL caliber football players
Keeping Cox and Castille was no surprise to me, either. They are keeping guys who can play in the league. The bottom of the roster is better this year and the Chiefs are dumping players just because there might be an artificially imposed number to be kept at a certain position. Guys that can play are cross-trained. That’s smart. Makes more sense than keeping a guy trained for one position with less talent/skill. I thought the roster cuts were smart. Pioli just needs to find Haley more talent.
I think it's possible that who starts at center may depend on the based defense of the team we're playing
I think they may want Rudy to start against a 3-4 and Casey against a 4-3. One of Casey’s strengths has always been his ability to pull. In fact during the early 90s it was often pointed out that he was about the only center in the league who could get around the corner and block. I don’t know if he still has those wheels, but he probably brings a lot more options to the game than Rudy when there is no NT.
The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made. ~ Groucho Marx
where is justin hartwig?
i would take him over both!
by the great thunderlips on Sep 6, 2010 11:09 AM CDT reply actions
still a free agent I believe
Here’s the latest news blurb on Rotoworld:
Steelers released C Justin Hartwig.
The Steelers unsurprisingly found no takers for their 2009 starter. The 31-year-old is no longer even an average run blocker, but he could land an interior swing role elsewhere. Pittsburgh’s running game is in better shape with Maurkice Pouncey taking over.
Source: Howard Balzer on Twitter
Chiefs WILL!
So he's the exact opposite of Ike Ndukwe.
Maybe we can add them together and get a seriously gifted veteran interior lineman at a low price ;)
"You've only got 10 fingers to stick in the dike. Is there a breaking point that pushes you over the edge?...Where's the limit?"
-Marty Schottenheimer
by go_saleaumua on Sep 6, 2010 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions
Not for nothing...but I've been saying.....
over and over and over…..we’d keep both.
"Don't let it end like this. Tell them I said something."
~ last words of Francisco ("Pancho") Villa ~
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