Kansas City Chiefs Position Battles Wrapping Up

by Joel Thorman on Sep 7, 2010 3:47 PM CDT in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Preseason

When training camp started we went and looked at a few position battles that were looming. From inside linebacker to center to safety, it appears we know the results of most of these training camp battles.

The best battle of the offseason was Derrick Johnson and Jovan Belcher vs. Demorrio Williams and Corey Mays, followed closely by the battle at center.

After several months of competition, here are your position battles:

Center: Casey Wiegmann vs. Rudy Niswanger

This one was a little odd since it was Niswanger taking most of the first team snaps and being listed on the first team during training camp. However, it was Wiegmann who landed on the first team during the first depth chart of the regular season. It appears Wiegmann will start.

Free safety: Jon McGraw vs. Kendrick Lewis

This wasn't much of a battle because even when McGraw was injured there seemed to be no question he'd come back for the starting job. Like I've been saying, I see McGraw as the starter to open the season and Lewis stepping into that role at some point.

Inside linebacker: Derrick Johnson/Jovan Belcher vs. Demorrio Williams/Corey Mays

This one came right down to the wire. The Chiefs reportedly told DJ that he would be starting which more than likely means Belcher will be starting next to him. This is probably the way many of us figured the battle would end up when it started months ago. Williams and Belcher had their shot last year and couldn't hold onto it.

Nose tackle: Ron Edwards vs. Shaun Smith/Derek Lokey/Garrett Brown

These were the guys that at one point lined up at nose tackle behind Edwards but it appears he'll hold down the starting job for another year. We figured someone would take Edwards' job during training camp -- Smith maybe -- but no one stepped up to take it.

Tight end: Leonard Pope vs. Tony Moeaki

I figured Moeaki had a shot at winning this one but he was injured for a few weeks during training camp which derailed any chance he had at starting. Like the inside linebacker competition, this is one position battle that will continue to go on during the regular season. I could see Moeaki's role increasing at some point in 2010, but for now it's Pope.

Running back: Thomas Jones vs. Jamaal Charles

This one is no closer to being resolved and it never will be resolved. It's becoming clear that the word "starter" won't mean much between these two guys. Whoever has the hot hand, and matches up the best with the opponent, will be taking the majority of the carries.

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charles should start...

Williams, came on strong last couple of games… ouch. Pope is a vetran, didn’t see Moeaki too much

by imur#1fan on Sep 7, 2010 3:52 PM CDT reply actions

Wow...

Javier Arenas really is Superman

Go Chiefs!!!!

by ravenhawk on Sep 7, 2010 3:56 PM CDT reply actions

He's one to watch.

He’s got a good chance to break Dante Halls records. Anyone who can beat out McCluster for that position has got to be awesome!

RUN DEXTER RUN!!!!
President - Team Colquitt Fan Club - est. July 29, 2010

by ARROWHEADSHANE on Sep 7, 2010 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Weren't Lokey and Brown released

And Toribio should be added to the contest for NT

2010 Prediction: Chiefs go 10-6 and make playoffs
Twitter: @GiftNate
Nate Gift

by giftedchiefsfan on Sep 7, 2010 4:06 PM CDT reply actions

+1

Ai hope he’s good enough to take the starting job at NT.

Dear Haters, F@&Y% U!!! Love always, Kobe.

by Falcon58 on Sep 7, 2010 5:13 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

IMO, Lewis won the starting job.

The guy is simply more of a presence, and in a way you just don’t see from McGraw.

McGraws starts are numbered. Meaning 4 or less.

"Don't let it end like this. Tell them I said something."
~ last words of Francisco ("Pancho") Villa ~

by TheK-man on Sep 7, 2010 4:07 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

yep Lewis seems to play like a starter whenever he's in there.

2010 Prediction: Chiefs go 10-6 and make playoffs
Twitter: @GiftNate
Nate Gift

by giftedchiefsfan on Sep 7, 2010 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

McGraw will be out there for the first snap of the game

But I would expect to see Lewis early and often. He may not be the starter, but he is clearly going to play. In my opinion it is strictly experience that is keeping him under the depth chart below McGraw. I don’t think there is anyone (McGraw included) who doesn’t think this job will be Lewis’ sooner rather than later.

"They should expect everything..." -Eric Berry

by Ben Martin on Sep 7, 2010 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions

yeah its almost like...dont start too many rookies or something, because mcgraw at FS over Lewis is tough to swallow

Team Pioli/Haley. Decade of the Chiefs.
Team Colquitt

by SDChief on Sep 7, 2010 7:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Calling some of these "battles" isn't really

fair, Joel. TJ and JC are clearly in a situational rotation, as are Derrick and DeMarrio.

Kindofa misnomer, honestly. Is it a positional “battle” when TJ gets yanked on 3rd down?

Check out the new FREE online baseball game! I know you'll love it.
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by Justin Bopp on Sep 7, 2010 4:10 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Super DeMarrio?

by craig in calgary on Sep 7, 2010 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Outstanding!

2010 Prediction: Chiefs go 10-6 and make playoffs
Twitter: @GiftNate
Nate Gift

by giftedchiefsfan on Sep 7, 2010 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions

ROFL

by Kevinlane on Sep 8, 2010 8:52 AM CDT up reply actions

I know this has been brought up before, but -

Why is it that our inside backer rotate as pairs?

I’d like to see a DWill/Belcher combo.

...sporting my new ERIC BERRY A V A T A R ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

by chiefsfan62 on Sep 7, 2010 4:16 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

They tried that last year...

Nossogood results.

What's the difference between jelly and jam?

by WestonK on Sep 7, 2010 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Probably chemistry

by Tarkus on Sep 7, 2010 8:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Position battle I'm most interested in...my player, save Casshole, to piss and moan about

With Lance Long and Urban gone I don’t know who to bitch about.

Politics aside, Obama would of better been served, buying 5 "new" football teams.

by HIV 2 Elway on Sep 7, 2010 4:22 PM CDT reply actions

Try finding someone to celebrate instead!!!

2010 Prediction: Chiefs go 10-6 and make playoffs
Twitter: @GiftNate
Nate Gift

by giftedchiefsfan on Sep 7, 2010 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs

+1 Good One.

Scott Pioli's star will shine in 2010.
Win or lose, the Chiefs scare the bejesus of all opponents in 2010

by ChiefsChance on Sep 7, 2010 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Corey Mays?

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 7, 2010 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Urban in the wildcat=Urban to IR=Urban still a CHIEF

Team Pioli/Haley. Decade of the Chiefs.
Team Colquitt

by SDChief on Sep 7, 2010 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions

What happened to Urban?

by jcox31mc on Sep 7, 2010 4:57 PM CDT reply actions

IR

What's the difference between jelly and jam?

by WestonK on Sep 7, 2010 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions

the wildcat happened

Team Pioli/Haley. Decade of the Chiefs.
Team Colquitt

by SDChief on Sep 7, 2010 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions

McGraw is going to get the nod over Lewis.... I can't see Crennel starting two rookies at the Safety position.

Lewis will come on the field from time to time, but the experience of McGraw will be the deciding factor.

Opinions are like A--holes, everyones got one.

by aPacificChief on Sep 7, 2010 5:19 PM CDT reply actions

Who was the Patriot that tore his peck mussle necessitating Page for that position.

Lets get that guy…if page works out for them

Team Berry

by MasterBlaster7 on Sep 7, 2010 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions

that just seems x-rated

Chiefs WILL!

by kabrink on Sep 7, 2010 9:03 PM CDT up reply actions

If SD goes after McGraw, and they WILL, he mightn't last long.

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

by hmills110 on Sep 7, 2010 8:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Regretfully I'm with you on that expectation, but can you imagine Turner and Rivers with two rookie Safeties?

They’d be chomping at the bit.

Just put McGraw like 20yds deep on every obvious passing play. He gets beat when he has to chase a player down, but if keeps everything in front of him he could have (hopefully) a solid game.

Opinions are like A--holes, everyones got one.

by aPacificChief on Sep 8, 2010 3:28 AM CDT up reply actions

anticlimactic (that's what she said)

Like we thought…

TJ/JC… not a battle, but a fantastic platoon
DJ/DW… part battle/part platoon… not really resolved
NT… seems like the only people that can’t move Edwards off the Line are the Chiefs… maybe the new “torpedo” can?
TE… gotta see Moeaki on the field before it’s a battle
I am glad to see Casey win the Center job, I hope he can keep it and play well. it’s a big boost to the interior line depth to have Rudy backing up all 3 spots, along with Asamoah
Lewis v McGraw… it’s only a matter of time, Lewis is the future for sure

So, no positional battles left to speak of, roster cuts are done, all’s quiet on the waiver wire front… what do we talk about now?

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 7, 2010 6:02 PM CDT reply actions

Moeaki and Pope are almost apples and oranges. But spot-on with Moeaki's limited appearances.

Maybe I’m just buying what Haley’s saying, but what he’s saying also agrees with what I’m seeing develop. It’s less about who’s starting than that they get something workable regardless of who’s out there. I notice the word “platoon” cropping up in your discussion. This is a good thing for the Chiefs.

Lewis looks pretty good, I agree. But this 5th rounder could just as easily be the flavor of the month. I wouldn’t be disappointed or even surprised if somebody else eventually stepped in, there. That he impresses so much is as much a result of seeing slower’n molasses in winter safeties on the field all last year. He’s quicker, but is he quicker than the next guy to come along or than Washington or Arenas? Nobody but me is talking about Arenas at safety, but he’d give KC a lot of flexibility, with his corner skills, he reads the field well, has an extra gear, and is built like a brick shithouse and isn’t afraid to deliver the hit. He’d be dangerous if allowed to do a little freelancing. Maybe not right away, but you’re talking FS of the future, and I can see Javvy being more dominant at FS as is, than he is in Carr’s spot, for instance. And nickelback might not be enough action for this playmaker.

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

by hmills110 on Sep 7, 2010 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions

really McGraw?

why not just bring back Mike Brown if your going to start McGraw over lewis?

Lewis outplayed McGraw by my standards. They need to put the better player on the field.

by the great thunderlips on Sep 7, 2010 6:32 PM CDT reply actions

Joking about Mike Brown!

i hate mike brown as much as i hated lance long.

by the great thunderlips on Sep 7, 2010 6:33 PM CDT reply actions

yeah still getting used to arenas in that jersey that I cursed all year

Team Pioli/Haley. Decade of the Chiefs.
Team Colquitt

by SDChief on Sep 7, 2010 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions

I disagree with the subject line.

NONE of this is wrapped-up, imo.

A lot of this is likely to flip-flop in these first few weeks. There are a lot of up-and-comers who want jobs and some returning vets, like McGraw, with targets painted on their jerseys. You know San Diego’s going to try to exploit McGraw. He won’t last very long, imo, if the KC pass rush doesn’t do a heckuva lot better job against Rivers.

To my eye, there’s a lot of potential for change in the secondary. Washington might be the best athlete of ‘em all, and hasn’t reached his ceiling, yet. And much as I like what Kendrick Lewis has done, so far, I can see Arenas getting more-than-nickelback minutes playing a little free safety. I can see the Chiefs wanting to get him on the field more on regular defense, just to get more sheer talent on the field. Some think it likely it’ll be at Brandon Carr’s expense, but maybe not, or maybe not right away. Maybe not a true 1-on-1 corner due to his height, but as a guided missile flying out of nowhere to break up the pass, he might be an awesome safety, when you throw in his blitz potential.

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

by hmills110 on Sep 7, 2010 8:16 PM CDT reply actions

There’s the RB situation, which isn’t really a situation. We just pretty much know the talent is there and they plan to use it.

ILB. Kinda like RB. I kinda think it’s more about who gives ’em the best chance of winning against a given opponent than it is about a head-to-head competition between the LBs. That being said, Demorrio DID sound a little miffed at not being the officially designated starter.

What about WR? Night and day compared to last season.

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

by hmills110 on Sep 7, 2010 8:19 PM CDT up reply actions

ILB.

Have to admit, I’m about done defending Mays. Guy comes free on the strong side in the same sort of deal that Demorrio got his sack on. Untouched to the QB, Mays doesn’t even lift his hands to block the pass. He could’ve SNUFFED that 3rd down conversion against GB right before the 2-minute warning, just by raising his arms. Should’ve seen the ball coming out and gotten his hands up. Unimpeded view of the arm going back and coming forward. No excuse for that.

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

by hmills110 on Sep 7, 2010 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions