Chiefs Guard Ryan Lilja Gets Some Center Snaps

Ryan Lilja is currently slotted in as a guard for the Kansas City Chiefs. Whether he's on the first team or second team will depend on how his position battle with Jeff Allen goes during training camp but right now it would appear he'll likely open the season as the starting guard.

He could also see snaps at center in an emergency situation. Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel told the media on Monday that Lilja, who saw some snaps at center over the weekend, could see some time at center in one of the Chiefs four preseason games.

"All our guys on the inside, if they have ability to play center and guard, we feel like that gives us more flexibility," Crennel said, via KCChiefs.com. "Lilja has snapped in practice but if you're going to put him in a game ever you need to give him some reps when there's a defense over there. We're just trying to do that to protect themselves."

So in the scenario Lilja has to fill in at center, Allen would likely become the guard.

We'll see what the depth chart looks like when it comes out today but hoping a guard can also back up at center makes me wonder if the Chiefs are hoping to create room for two reserve offensive tackles, perhaps David Mims and Donald Stephenson.

On a related note, you know Chiefs fans are awesome when the mayor of the city chimes in on the No. 2 center battle:

"@adamteicher: Ryan Lilja playing some at center" Need someone at #2 at that spot I suppose.

— Mayor Sly James (@MayorSlyJames) August 4, 2012