Chiefs Training Camp: Secondary

Previewing the Kansas City Chiefs roster as we prepare for the 2012 training camp schedule. The cornerbacks and safeties...

The secondary:

Cornerback: Brandon Flowers, Stanford Routt, Javier Arenas, Mikail Baker, Jalil Brown, Chandler Fenner
Safety: Eric Berry, Kendrick Lewis, Travis Daniels, Abe Elam, DeQuan Menzie, Jacques Reeves, Donald Washington, Dominique Ellis, Jean Fanor, Tysyn Hartman, Kyle McCarthy, Terrance Parks, Neiko Thorpe.

This is usually the biggest position group because defensive backs can fill a number of roles. Let's stick to what we know. Brandon Flowers and Stanford Routt are your likely starting cornerbacks. Javier Arenas and Jalil Brown will be competing for time at slot cornerback. DeQuan Menzie could be in there, too. We think Eric Berry and Kendrick Lewis are your starting safeties with Abe Elam mixed in there someplace. Travis Daniels could be moving around the secondary, including cornerback and safety. From there it's a dog fighti among the rest of the guys and I'm not sure there are any clear leaders. We'll figure that out in camp.

Previously: Quarterbacks | Running backs | Receivers | Tight Ends

You can count on...Eric Berry's return making a difference. A big one. Chiefs coaches, not necessarily trying to make excuses (at least I don't think), have acknowledged that Berry's absence was a huge one last year. He can fill a number of roles so you can't downplay how big his return is.

The big question mark...How does Stanford Routt replace Brandon Carr? Carr took a $50 million deal in Dallas shortly after Routt was signed. Routt gave up a lot of touchdowns last year and had a lot of penalties but Chiefs coaches think they can explain that. How he performs will be one of the keys to the Chiefs defense this year. He's the newcomer in what's been a tight group the last few years.

Random notes:

• Romeo Crennel likes using a third safety against Peyton Manning, thus Abe Elam
• Eric Berry said part of his rehab is the mental side of things
• DeQuan Menzie missed time in the offseason with injuries
• Donald Washington was popped for a DUI this month