Safety Position Coming Into Focus For Chiefs Roster

by Matt Conner on Aug 22, 2011 6:16 PM CDT in Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp 2011

The starting safety positions are largely set with Eric Berry and Kendrick Lewis, but there are several names vying for those slots behind both players as roster cuts are coming up for the Kansas City Chiefs. In some press comments today, head coach Todd Haley said he's getting a good handle on who might occupy those roles.

Thus far, Lewis and Berry are in and familiar names like Jon McGraw could also be considered a front-runner given Haley's comments today. From there it will come down to special teams for those last slots -- not only within the secondary but for the linebackers and wide receivers as well.

"I think we have good competition at the position," said Haley, via KCChiefs.com. "As we went through the game review as a staff and graded the guys, that was definitely one of those spots or areas that we talked about. Usually when we get through going through a position and we know it's going to be critical and there's going to be good competition, I stop the meeting and say, 'Coach Hoffman, are you hearing this? Special teams might be one of the separators here in this battle.'

"So it's a good competition obviously," he continued. "Jon McGraw is in there and he's not out of the mix to even be up front in the mix. Then you've got a good competition between Donald [Washington] and Jersey Shore [Sabby Piscitelli]. I think it's good competition, but as you do get into some of those fourth safety or sixth linebacker or fourth or fifth receiver, special teams might play a big role in it."

Two things stand out in this one. First, McGraw may have a stronger grip on a final roster spot than perhaps some realized. Secondly, some viewed the signing of Piscitelli as a reach and the former Buccaneer has few fans among sports media, but Scott Pioli and Haley see something there enough to keep him around and getting reps. Plus, you gotta love Haley cracking a joke in the middle of a press conference.

Ten players must be cut by August 30, a week from tomorrow, in order to meet the NFL's requirement of 80.

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Comments

I hope Piscatelli does not make this roster

All I have seen from him is bad angles over pursuit and the ability to get faked out of his mind on play action. It’s like watching Pollard with out the special teams play or the hits.

by Forsythe13 on Aug 22, 2011 6:31 PM CDT reply actions

Or Studebaker.

So. Not. Impressed.

Top 10 defense and another trip to the playoffs!
Tamba Hali, NFL Sack Leader, 2011

by ArrowSpread on Aug 22, 2011 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions

I think Studie

is doing what is asked of him based on scheme but Piscatelli look lost on the mental aspects of his position.

by Forsythe13 on Aug 22, 2011 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions

not sure why studie is in this thread

But, he’s solid.

Sabby… not so much

by stagdsp on Aug 22, 2011 7:58 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Yea, a small jab at him biting so hard on the play fake.

Top 10 defense and another trip to the playoffs!
Tamba Hali, NFL Sack Leader, 2011

by ArrowSpread on Aug 22, 2011 8:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed.

Hopefully he is just a training camp body and nothing more. Curious to see who hits the market after cuts.

by EricBerryYoYouScary on Aug 22, 2011 6:48 PM CDT up reply actions

I love how he called him Jersey Shore

I love that Todd Haley is our coach.

by HTrayne on Aug 22, 2011 6:43 PM CDT reply actions

except having an ickname probably means he's making the roster

I know I’m reaching here, but it’s not like he’s calling the dude out by his jersey number

by SportsTeam on Aug 22, 2011 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Donald Washington really stood out for me in the Ravens game

…against scrubs late in the game, of course. But he made the tackles and plays he should have made. He think he could be a legitimate talent and is a definite keeper.

by VermeilLikesToCry on Aug 22, 2011 6:46 PM CDT reply actions

McGraw haters are going to have to live with him at least another year.

Hopefully more so on special teams than defense, but it’s pretty clear that Haley loves him.

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by Tarkus on Aug 22, 2011 6:55 PM CDT reply actions

Who doesn't love McGraw?

He seems like a legitimately great guy. He’s been a hard worker, a great special teams contributor, and I think Kendrick Lewis would tell you he’s probably been a great mentor/role model.

None of which has any effect on the fact that he really shouldn’t be seeing much time at safety for us any more. He’s just lost too much of a step and he was never the most physically gifted guy on the field to begin with.

"[Jamaal Charles] probably fights crime in his spare time while inhaling carbon emissions, exhaling oxygen, and crapping oil. That’s how awesome he is. Not just good for the Chiefs, but America."
- MNchiefsfan

by MtHammer on Aug 22, 2011 7:10 PM CDT up reply actions

I like McGraw a lot

He is truly “a Chief” to me. He knows defense but maybe gets outplayed physically once in a while (I don’t even mean to put him down, to me he is a Kansas guy playing against well trained genetic freaks from all over the world).

I feel like McGraw gets the Chiefs system and probably makes those around him better. That and special teams guarantee roster position to me.

by JaySoy on Aug 22, 2011 7:40 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

i'm not a big mcgraw fan

At this point, Langford can do everything McGraw can do, except be a coach

by stagdsp on Aug 22, 2011 7:53 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

McGraw was always on the slow side and has gotten slower

If he takes a step in the wrong direction, it’s a disaster. Give me an athlete who can make up for it and who might be able to cover somebody.

by u2nspenserfan on Aug 22, 2011 9:09 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

He's great when not bagging groceries...

….I like McGraw for his local connection (Insert KState powercat), ability to understand and teach, and his ST abilities. Every year he makes a few plays that stands out (KC vs Ravens 2 years ago. He had a blocked punt). Jon McGraw “The Special Teams Crime Dog” has a spot. Good to hear the Washington project is bearing fruit. Sabby would’ve been a great pick up a few years ago; he’s more athlete than anything

by 8k1c6 on Aug 22, 2011 10:28 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

he's the one...

who almost single-handedly lost that playoff game for us by letting Todd Heap go wild. He can’t cover to save his life. Oh yeah, that and our offense forgot you have to score to win.

by Nicoloco on Aug 23, 2011 12:01 AM CDT up reply actions

Keep all the best run stoppers

We all know the front seven can’t stop the run so the chiefs better make sure they keep 10 safeties because most are going to be carted off from over work

by LO Thighs on Aug 22, 2011 6:56 PM CDT reply actions

You forgot the sarcasm font

by RamX21 on Aug 22, 2011 7:40 PM CDT up reply actions

personally really like langford. of course lewis/berry, but langford is the real deal

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

by SDChief on Aug 22, 2011 7:21 PM CDT reply actions

so... how is it focus???

Obviously you’ve got Berry/Lewis… but it’s still up for grabs after that,

I vote for Langford and Washington over Jersey and the Grocer

But, my vote doesn’t count

by stagdsp on Aug 22, 2011 7:56 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Definitely more upside with Langford and Washington

but that leaves us with little actual experience behind Berry and Lewis…it’s risky

But I’d do it…;-)

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

by PVChiefsfan on Aug 22, 2011 8:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Definitely Langford over Piscatelli

Never argue with an Idiot...... they'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
sometimes I wonder how they would do that chalk outline, if you pushed someone into a tree chipper.

by Hoochdawg on Aug 22, 2011 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions

As opposed to Berry's and Lewis's experience?

Ha just sayin’.

by bamachief5558 on Aug 23, 2011 1:36 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Worst reason ever

but I want Donald Washington to make the team just to keep me from hating Pioli’s 2009 draft class even more. I love the 2010 and 2011 classes, but holy shit I hated 09 at the time and I hate it more and more as time passes.

Your eyes tell you more than any statistics can.

by kc_radrh8r on Aug 22, 2011 7:57 PM CDT reply actions

I think Jackson's play this season will help you feel a 'little' bit better about our 09 draft.

3 years for DL to ‘get it’. Mark my words that baring injury this guy is going to be a BEAST!

by DivineGrace on Aug 22, 2011 9:32 PM CDT up reply actions

I sure hope so

I know hindsight says Raji, Matthews, Cushing, Orakpo, etc. would be great picks, and I liked Orakpo at the time, but I really wanted Eugene Monroe in the worst way. But I can live with the Jackson selection. It’s the middle round picks of Alex Magee, Donald Washington and Colin Brown that bothered me then and still now when you look at who else was available.

Your eyes tell you more than any statistics can.

by kc_radrh8r on Aug 23, 2011 7:48 AM CDT up reply actions

Although I must admit

that I really thought DT Jarron Gilbert would have been a good pick instead of Magee. At 6’5’’ and 288, I thought he’d be a great candidate to move outside to the 5-technique. And who knows, maybe he would have. But he clearly failed in Chicago and later never made it past the Jets practice squad to apparently he wouldnt have been.

Your eyes tell you more than any statistics can.

by kc_radrh8r on Aug 23, 2011 7:51 AM CDT up reply actions

GIants are losing CB's

Nickel now the presumed starter till October

by Steve_Chiefs on Aug 22, 2011 8:58 PM CDT reply actions

Not a big fan of McGraw, but like his leadership

I’m not the biggest fan of Jon McGraw and for some reason always hoping he doesn’t make the roster. At the same time with such a young team I like seeing his “coaching” of the younger DBs & know he’s instrumental in helping Berry & Lewis learn the schemes along with reading offenses. Last year he saw how Vrabel taught many of the young guys how to be true professionals & what it takes to be a NFL player. I think he’s going to be this year’s Vrabel then either be on the chopping block next year or retire.

by Boogyman3 on Aug 22, 2011 9:52 PM CDT reply actions