Roster transactions! Yes!
The Kansas City Chiefs have fourteen total roster transactions since the general start of training camp in the NFL, the last day in July. That number includes trading, cutting and waiving players and does not include draft pick signings.
An excellent article by Yahoo Sports Charles Robinson brought this stat to my attention in his article yesterday.
Enter Haley and general manager Scott Pioli, two men who have seemingly gone to work on the franchise’s psyche with a blowtorch and a chainsaw. With that in mind, you need only look at the Chiefs for one afternoon to realize that the blood-letting has just begun. And by the time it’s over, there may not be a player on the roster who hasn’t had the buttons inside his head re-programmed – if he can survive long enough.
Robinson goes on:
That latter point is significant. Since the start of training camp on July 31, the Chiefs have made more roster moves than any other team – signing, cutting or trading 14 players. And that’s a tally that doesn’t include the inking of draft picks. While at their training site in River Falls, Wis., the Chiefs released five players. The previous regime had cut three players while in River Falls … in three years.
It really is a startling difference once you sit down and think about it. Fourteen players over just three in three years by the previous staff? Talk about contrasting styles.
We know that the news can come at quite a rapid pace around here sometimes so I've summed up all of those fourteen roster transactions after the jump. By next Tuesday, the team will have to trim down to 75 players so there will be more cutting and signing coming soon.
After the jump, check out the Kansas City Chiefs training camp roster transactions.
July 28th - K Connor Barth waived
And the Ryan Succop era (however long it may last) began with the release of Barth.
Total transactions: 1
August 3rd - Claimed LB Vince Redd off of waivers
A 6'6", 260 pound outside linebacker, Redd saw limited action in five games with the Patriots last season. He was signed as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2008 and appeared in five of the team's final six games accumulating two tackles.
Redd was waived on August 24th after being suspended for four games by the NFL. Ephedra containing Sudafed is reportedly to blame.
Total transactions:3
August 4th - Chiefs sign veteran WR Amani Toomer
However you look at it, it's fairly clear to me that the Chiefs would point to option one. After listening to fomer Giants GM Ernie Accorsi on 610 Sports, I'm definitely on board with this signing. He's in the same veteran mold as Mike Vrabel and Zach Thomas and embodies the high character players the Chiefs have targeted.
TE Tony Curtis was released to make room for Toomer on the roster.
Total transactions:5
August 5th - QB Ingle Martin cut
My initial speculation on the waiving of Ingle Martin was that it was to make room on the roster for DE Tyson Jackson. Not so as you'll find out next.
Total transactions:6
August 5th - Chiefs sign former Patriot QB Matt Gutierrez
Yep, another New England QB. Guttierrez is looking to beat out Tyler Thigpen for the third string spot and so far, he's doing just that.
Total transactions:7
August 13th - Chiefs swap snappers
The Chiefs released long snapper Tanner Purdum in exchange for now second time Chief Thomas Gafford.
Total transactions: 9
August 17th - Chiefs sign WR Ashley Lelie; Release WR Jeff Webb
Former Bronco and journeyman Lelie took three year Chief Jeff Webb's spot on the team and so far in limited action has done more than I ever remember Webb doing. We'll see if Lelie makes the final 53.
Total transactions:11
August 24th - Chiefs trade for G Andy Alleman
This is the second time since Pioli's hiring on January 13th that he has made a trade with his father-in-law, Bill Parcells. The Chiefs traded up to acquire TE Jake O'Connell on the second day of the draft.
Total transactions:12
August 24th - G/T Ikechuku Ndukwe also included in the trade
And the Chiefs weren't done on the 24th, adding another guard from the Dolphins in the trade and releasing G Brian De La Puente to make room on the roster.
Total transactions:14