Who Will End Up With Final Wide Receiver Slot(s) For Chiefs?

by Matt Conner on Aug 21, 2011 6:46 PM CDT in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Preseason

In a post up on the Mother Ship, Josh Looney points at a handful of players who are impressing the coaching staff of the Chiefs and specifically head coach Todd Haley. It's nice to read the particular names on the list, especially guys the Chiefs (and fans) were hoping to break through like Cameron Sheffield and Justin Houston. But one name that stands out is among the finalist for one of the remaining wide receiver slots on the roster: Verran Tucker.

The Chiefs unexpected signing of Keary Colbert highlighted this position when it was clear that the Chiefs brass were serious about giving him a chance to make the team. That placed even more pressure on guys like Tucker to make the team, but apparently Tucker is rising to the occasion. As Looney writes:

Haley was impressed with Tuckers ability to "show up in a number of areas". The second-year wide out led the Chiefs with three catches for 68 yards Friday night ... Tucker’s ability to play special teams certainly help his cause in making the Chiefs 53-man roster; that skill set is what originally got him called up from the practice squad last season. Tucker is currently part of a numbers crunch at wide receiver with 13 players vying for five or six positions. He’s made several big catches in training camp and definitely helped himself in Baltimore.

Colbert's name has also been mentioned among those impressive in camp so far, but some other favorites remain as well. As Looney described, the situation is going to be disappointing for most of the players vying for the position with so few slots around. Steve Breaston, Jon Baldwin and Dwayne Bowe are shoe-ins. Jerheme Urban is getting first team reps in camp, so that's automatic as well. Dexter McCluster isn't going anywhere, although you could place him among backs.

That leaves names like Tucker, Colbert, Chandler Williams, Terrance Copper, Jeremy Horne, Chris Manno, Zeke Markshausen and Josue Paul. Copper holds a veteran special teams edge above others, yet Tucker and Colbert have been praised. The jury is out on several of the others. Suffice to say, maybe two more of them can make the practice squad and the rest will hope to continue their football journey somewhere else.

Who do you think will end up on the final roster of 53? At this point, the Chiefs continue to list McCluster as a WR so that might affect things. But a guess from me at this point reads: Bowe, Breaston, Urban, Baldwin, McCluster, Copper, Tucker all making the team with Colbert on the fence. Your thoughts?

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Mr. Conner

How do you post photos in your fanpost?

It's great to finally trust the men making the important decisions at 1 Arrowhead Drive.

by OnlyKCFanNVA on Aug 21, 2011 6:48 PM CDT reply actions

I think we may keep an extra receiver this year

With the new kickoff rules there isn’t as much an emphasis on special teams.

by RamX21 on Aug 21, 2011 6:49 PM CDT reply actions

Oh and Tucker makes the roster

and actually contributes

by RamX21 on Aug 21, 2011 6:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Kobert seems to be

a good route runner and is smart, maybe Cassel will benifit somehow…

by CHIEFFAN82 on Aug 21, 2011 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions

*Colbert

by CHIEFFAN82 on Aug 21, 2011 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Eh, Colbert.. Canadian not you are?

Doesn’t he have a good report so far?

by paulredfish on Aug 21, 2011 7:20 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

an even better question...

who will wind up with the number 2???

Just like novocaine. give it time; always works..
The greater the fall, the grander the ascention..

by be cee on Aug 21, 2011 6:53 PM CDT reply actions

Tucker was very impressive against the Ravens

He created separation and ran crisp routes.

His 3rd down catch with Palco in there was a fantastic triple-move, and then came back to the ball when Palco left the pocket. Picked up a big 3rd down and showed more than one skill on that play.

SB Nation Kansas City

Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.

-Abraham Lincoln

by BJ Kissel on Aug 21, 2011 6:55 PM CDT reply actions

The last two WR's should be

Tucker and Copper. Both can play Special teams and both have more experience with the
Chiefs and what they want to do.

by Bonofied on Aug 21, 2011 6:56 PM CDT reply actions

Damn! Straight f*cked him up!

TOUCHDOWN! KAN-SAH-CITY!!!

by TheScootness on Aug 21, 2011 10:59 PM CDT up reply actions

my choices......

Bowe
Baldwin……… if he doesn’t get into any more fights ;)
Breaston
Urban
Tucker
Copper
Colbert and Horne for practice squad

by daddyof2lilguys on Aug 21, 2011 7:17 PM CDT reply actions

Colbert is not PS eligible

He’s been in the league too long

by mushin on Aug 21, 2011 7:49 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Tucker

I think every time Tucker is in the game he lays it all on the line. Last year the little time he did get to play he took advantage of the situation and for whatever reason they stopped playing him. He has shown more than Urban. I like his intensity and he can go deep . Tucker went deep a couple of time last year and he knows where he is suppose to be. Tucker has my vote all day long

by nltsaved on Aug 21, 2011 7:57 PM CDT reply actions

I agree that he's showed more than Urban

Who has showed nothing :)

I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.

by MNchiefsfan on Aug 22, 2011 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions

I think Tucker will make it over Urban honestly

Bleed Chiefs

by tomahawk44 on Aug 22, 2011 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions

I hope so

Urban was absolutely blanketed on every route he ran. Not fast, not a great route runner, doesn’t have the muscle to snatch the ball, doesn’t have the bulk to “block” the defender from the ball and make the catch, doesn’t seem to have great hands…

Is there anything he’s good at? I’m not trying to be a jerk, but he was very, very underwhelming.

I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.

by MNchiefsfan on Aug 22, 2011 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions

I have been really impressed with Colbert so far

He looks super quick and runs good routes in and out of his breaks. I think he could be a viable slot, because we know Dex will be coming out of the backfield a lot and Breaston plays well at the slot and spread out. I could see Bowe and Baldwin outside Moeaki and Colbert in the slot and Dex coming out of the backfield on 3rd and longs. Haveany of you guys been impressed with the play of any of the young guys? I haven’t seen much that has really caught my eye. I have been disappointed by the play of Chandler Williams and I sawMarkshausen drop that Touchdown pass, he did get nice separation though. I have liked Jeremy Horne at times, mainly last year, has some nice size. I know Haley loves Urban but I haven’t ready seen him do enough to solidify a starting spot. He didn’t really get much separation while he was in with the first team the first couple of games.

by Flocka on Aug 21, 2011 8:13 PM CDT reply actions

Good take.. McCluster will only be good on screens and swing passes out of the backfield.

I don’t see him lining up in the slot and going across the middle much with success.

by NFL season ticket holder on Aug 21, 2011 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions

WRs

I think McCluster will be listed at RB. Bowe, Breaston, Tucker, Copper are keepers. Baldwin they have to keep to develop him in the future. Markshausen and Paul and Chandler Williams and Horne are easily gone. Manno might be to practice squad (Williams or Horne are also possibilities here). If they’re keeping only 5 WRs, that’s it. Colbert and Urban will have to be cut. If they keep 6, it’ll be Urban over Colbert.

by Nicoloco on Aug 21, 2011 8:24 PM CDT reply actions

Manno #17

I have watched Manno practice a lot and he can fly when he runs plus he has great hands. Chiefs should give him a shot. Looks good.

by ChiefsNoOne on Aug 23, 2011 7:00 PM CDT up reply actions

I see it as

Bowe, Baldwin, Breaston, Tucker, Copper, Colbert.

Urban has had years in AZ to stand out and he didn’t. We have our ST guy in Copper. Urban has not impressed me as he let defenders get between him and the ball in Balt. Urban reminds me of Kevin Lockett…we kept him every year and we let a very promising rookie go…who happened to get picked up by New Orleans…Joe Horn. I remember all fans in the 90s kept saying if only we had a deep threat WR and a QB…we did…Gannon and Horn were on those teams…Marty just never played them.

by AZDiamond75 on Aug 21, 2011 8:34 PM CDT reply actions

Joe Horn wasnt a rookie when he left to go to NO

He was in like his 3rd or 4th year in the league when he left in FA to NO. And it was Grbac who was at qb when Horn had a career yr and he caught all those td passes in 2000. Elvis had a career yr that season too, with 4,000 yds passing and 30 something tds.

by ChiefDailyBaked on Aug 21, 2011 9:10 PM CDT up reply actions

My bad Horn wasn't a rookie and Tucker isn't a rookie now. My point was

We had a young WR that we didn’t use and instead gave snaps to a guy who continually failed to deliver. We let him go and boom!….but to your points…Horn was around from 1996 to 2000. Gannon was around from 1995 to 1998. He was the backup for Bono and then for Grbac…and actually Marty started Grbac instead of Gannon in the playoffs after Gannon had finished the season. That led to Gannon going to the Raiders and boom 4 Pro Bowls, 2002 MVP, and a Super Bowl….. So again in the 90’s we had a QB and WR Marty never played and should have….would have loved to see that 1996 – 1997 team with Horn as a starting WR….then we wouldn’t have had to rely on the foot of you know who.

by AZDiamond75 on Aug 21, 2011 9:42 PM CDT up reply actions

WR

I watched Manno in college and he is as fast as a rocket and caught just about everything.

by ChiefsNoOne on Aug 23, 2011 7:06 PM CDT up reply actions

baldwin on the pup list

Depending on how series his injury you could see him on the pup. So that leaves a spot for Urban

Bowe
Breaston
Urban
Cooper
Tucker

Pup
Baldwin

by backbone313 on Aug 21, 2011 8:43 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Baldwin not Eligible for PUP

Either on the 53 or IR. No in between.

by dablueguy on Aug 22, 2011 3:53 AM CDT up reply actions

Houston is quickly winning back any trust lost from his holdout.

"I’m expecting more out of myself," Houston said. "You can always get better. There were still mistakes out there that I need to correct and I’ve got work to do. I’m a long ways from where I want to be."

by bossmanham on Aug 21, 2011 8:52 PM CDT reply actions

yes..he will better once he learns to get his body under control and not run himself out of the play.

by NFL season ticket holder on Aug 21, 2011 9:39 PM CDT up reply actions

I dont think Colbert makes the team

Cassel didnt even play with him at USC, Palmer and Leinart were his qbs. Colbert was a starter and Cassel was the 3rd-2nd string qb. So I dont know where this they have chemistry together talk is coming from.

I think your list is probably right with
DBowe
Breaston
Tucker
Copper
Urban
Baldwin
DMC wr/rb

by ChiefDailyBaked on Aug 21, 2011 9:22 PM CDT reply actions

The chemistry talk

is partially because Cassel and Colbert were roommates at USC, and spent a lot of time practicing together.

The year I worked at Arrowhead for my first job ever, the Chiefs were 8-0 at home. I think that the Kansas City Chiefs should pay me to go to the games so they always win

by hazychance on Aug 22, 2011 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree. I think they go with 7 WRs if they continue to list McCluster as a WR. Tucker has been impressive.

His downhill blocking and special team play has been outstanding and he always is doing what is asked of him.
Chiefs would be foolish to cut him. Colbert may look good working out on tape..but that is all it is—a workout tape.

by NFL season ticket holder on Aug 21, 2011 9:37 PM CDT reply actions

I'd like to see Horne show up big in the next 2 "Pre" Games...

The dude’s a speedy baller & Master of the sideline “GO” Route,,,Been around enough to know the system…Hope he sticks…PS Insurance for sure IMO…

by KCChef on Aug 21, 2011 9:49 PM CDT reply actions

ok, I'm gonna go WAY out on a limb here and predict ...

wait for it … wait … my super extrasensory ultra psychic and uberpsychotic channeling says …

Dwayne Bowe will make the final cutdown and survive on the list of This Year’s Right 53

I know … bold statement, huh

Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"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
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!

by upamtn on Aug 21, 2011 10:47 PM CDT reply actions

your boldness impresses me

ya give lessons for these super extrasensory ultra psychic and uber psychotic channeling powers? I’m interested.

I got a notice that I wouldn't receive anymore notices, then I received a notice saying that notice was nulled. I just noticed the waste of two notices...

by Starshaker on Aug 21, 2011 11:18 PM CDT up reply actions