The Kansas City Chiefs released seven players on Friday evening. Though they were all backups, there are still some things we can take out of this.
Here are a few things I think these roster moves could mean:
- Releasing Ikechuku Ndukwe, not eligible for the practice squad, may mean that Darryl Harris is healthy to play in 2010. Releasing Ndukwe and Santucci means there are only three guards on the roster other than Harris.
- Leroy Banks release probably means Jake O'Connell is safe. He was definitely on the roster bubble but came on strong in recent weeks. I see the Chiefs keeping three tight ends.
- Mike Richardson's release means there is a special teams spot available. He played basically all special teams later year.
The Chiefs full depth chart is listed after the jump.
OFFENSE
WR: Chris Chambers, Jerheme Urban, Quinten Lawrence, Jeremy Horne, Verran Tucker
LT: Branden Albert
LG: Brian Waters, Ikechuku Ndukwe, Darryl Harris
This release, to me, would mean that Harris' injury isn't that serious. It's speculation at this point.
C: Rudy Niswanger, Casey Wiegmann, Lemuel Jeanpierre
This doesn't change much. The real battle here is Niswanger and Weigmann (or both).
RG: Ryan Lilja, Jon Asamoah, Dan Santucci
Again, not much of a change in anything here.
RT: Barry Richardson, Colin Brown, Bobby Greenwood, Ryan O'Callaghan
TE: Leonard Pope, Tony Moeaki, Jake O'Connell, Leroy Banks
Good news for Jake O'Connell. It's very possible he makes the roster now.
WR: Dwayne Bowe, Dexter McCluster, Terrance Copper, Rich Gunnell
This doesn't change anything other than supporting Copper was a special teamer in 2010.
QB: Matt Cassel, Brodie Croyle, Tyler Palko
FB: Tim Castille, Mike Cox
RB: Thomas Jones, Jamaal Charles, Jackie Battle, Javarris Williams
DEFENSE
LDE: Tyson Jackson, Shaun Smith, Alex Magee
NT: Ron Edwards, Derek Lokey, Garrett Brown
RDE: Glenn Dorsey, Wallace Gilberry, Dion Gales
LOLB: Mike Vrabel, Andy Studebaker, John Russell
No surprise here.
LILB: Corey Mays, Jovan Belcher, Justin Cole
RILB: Demorrio Williams, Derrick Johnson, David Herron, Cory Greenwood
ROLB: Tamba Hali, Pierre Walters, Cameron Sheffield
LCB: Brandon Flowers, Mike Richardson, Jackie Bates, Maurice Leggett
Richardson's release is somewhat of a surprise. He was a special teamer in 2009. Looks like that spot is now open.
RCB: Brandon Carr, Javier Arenas, Travis Daniels, Ricky Price
SS: Eric Berry, Reshard Langford, DaJaun Morgan
FS: Jon McGraw, Kendrick Lewis, Donald Washington
SPECIAL TEAMS
P: Dustin Colquitt, Ryan Succop
K: Ryan Succop, Dustin Colquitt
KO: Ryan Succop, Dustin Colquitt
PC: Thomas Gafford, Cory Greenwood
KC: Thomas Gafford, Cory Greenwood
H: Dustin Colquitt, Tyler Palko
PR: Javier Arenas, Dexter McCluster, Quinten Lawrence
KR: Javier Arenas, Dexter McCluster, Quinten Lawrence